Chapter Text
War.
Pointless violence, endless suffering and losses.
No victory or gains by senseless slaughter could ever be worth anything. The panicked screams that arose from the depths of the planet and expanded towards the vast galaxy, drenched air that reeked of smoke and blood until the metallic taste was all you could savour, the cries of children after being separated from their families or being demanded to flee alone and away from home.
It was pure chaos.
It left bitter memories that you would rather forget and a persistent feeling of insecurity and fear. Fear of anything and everything altogether.
No matter the reconstruction after, the hope of seeing your people raise once again into prosperity, watching with relief the paranoia leave their tired gazes and fall back into normality, where families fell new ones raised.
Fear would always be there. Hidden, guarded, its fire would falter but even the tiniest flame would remain. It only took a bit of fuel for it to expand once more.
That fuel precisely would come flying in a spaceship from the galaxy into the Planet of Altea, from the intercommunication of the Castle that rang patiently for an answer, and from the familiar features but unrecognizable faces of the species that once installed that same fear into their people so many years ago.
Galrans.
Allura, Queen of Altea and savior of the planet couldn't help but feel weary, and rightfully so. After the departure of her late father, the Queen took complete responsibility over her people, and where only crumbs remained of her home, slowly but surely she brought prosperity to Altea.
After many years of reconstruction and endless effort, the planet was finally stable. Children could once again play freely outside the security of her castle without any knowledge or memories of a war whatsoever.
Peace, just like her father always wanted.
However, the monitor in front of her constantly flashing red light accompanied by the slow beeping sound that started to become annoying was currently disrupting that said peace.
"You can simply choose not to answer, Majesty. They are incapable of bypassing Altea without proper confirmation." Coran, Allura's right hand man and only family remaining spoke. Voice steady and reassuring by sensing the Queens displeasure.
"I must admit... I am somewhat curious." She sighed, as if defeated. The reason for her curiosity was among the beings who brought destruction to her home and planet, what kind of queen was she?
"Fret not. I do not think I recognize the design of this Galra ship. It is... Unusual." Coran answered, rubbing his mustache unconsciously as he analized with sharp gaze the ship on the front monitor. "I understand your curiosity."
"They were decent enough to give us a call before assuming they could just enter. A proper salutation is the least we could do, right?" Prince Lance called from the other side of the wide room, the once thick tension easing with the royals'casual voice.
Lance was just as uneasy. The simple mention of Galra made any Altean's hair stand on edge. They always meant danger, destruction, demand of resources or willingness. This time, however, was different. Not because of such a simple thing as a call, but because they were different. More prepared, balanced, united.
Making the queen worry along with their people would only disrupt that peace.
Allura met the Prince's gaze, restlessness written all along her features. Lance offered her a dashing smile, the release on the Queen's shoulders was evident.
With a final sigh, the red light that had been insistently flashing turned green, and were once the screen displayed a ship came in the view of the source of their nightmares.
Their purple skin, large ears, yellow eyes and complex bodies could not be mistaken, especially from one of the many planets who where attacked by them. Lost so much and so many precisely because of them.
Lance couldn't help the small shiver that ran through his spine, it had been a while hadn't it? Since he got a proper look at Galra.
The biggest of them all spoke first. The Leader judging by its uniform, which had a different design and stood out by its more desaturated colors.
"Your Majesty." Came in the harsh voice, turning abruptly towards the camera as if not expecting a response at all and was caught off guard.
"We appreciate the chance that it has been given to us to speak to you."
"State the purpose of this before I regret it." Allura immediately interfered, the Galra's voice was intimidating but it couldn't be compared to the Queen's.
"Of course." The Galra didn't seem offended by the lack of hospitality in the slightest. Instead, it continued.
"My name is Kolivan, and we come in peace." He bowed towards the screen, an action that seemed silly considering the Galra was in a sitting position.
Allura answered with silence, the Galra didn't falter.
"I will be brief. We are the Blade of Marmora, and ask humbly for your aid."
"But of course, you're kind only take, and take, and take from planets until there nothing but dust." The Queen spat to the screen, gaze once steady and calculating was now full of hatred and anger. Fist tightening on her sides until her knuckles turned as white as her hair.
Lance reacted quickly, shoving Allura gently to the side where Coran remained and took over the screen.
"After everything, what makes you think we'll help you?" He asked, question quick and jittery with a cocky smirk, hoping that would be enough to hide his slight shaking.
If the Galra noticed, he made no comment. Instead, he continued. "I believe this is a mistake, as I stated before we are the Blade of Marmora. Seeking to restore peace across the universe and bring Zarkon's terrorism to an end. With your help, we believe that could be possible."
"Blade of Marmora?" Coran asked from the side where he held Allura's shoulder in silent comfort, the Queen seemed more collected but weary.
"Correct. As I said, we do not work for Zarkon, we are a rebel group. It would be my pleasure to clear any more doubts, but I do feel this is a matter that should not be discussed lightly through intercoms."
Lance's gaze met the Queen's who already wore the same skeptical look his way. Galra against other Galran's? Seeking peace? Never in his hundreds of Altean years did he imagine an outcome as such, it seemed the Queen couldn't believe it either or wasn't convinced.
"We understand the damage that has faced your planet, it isn't easy to make a decision as such, what we offer are merely words. But what do my words mean to any of you?" The Galran cut in upon the silence through the intercoms, its voice was always strong, harsh, but this time it actually held understanding.
"To make things easier, I would like to suggest only sending one of my most valuable and trustworthy Blades. Feel free to interrogate him as much as you'd like, and see for yourself our intentions." The Galran finished, looking as calm and collected as ever. Unbothered. The request of sending one if his people to a planet where they all despised his same kind didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. They must be desperate, they might actually need their help to risk something or someone like this.
An opportunity, to finally establish the peace the Queen and her father had so desperately fought for. To finally extinguish the incessant creeping fear, to finally guarantee her people the peace and carefree lives they deserve after so long.
An opportunity, to see this change for herself, decide at her own pace and time if to offer help or obliterate this Galran out of existence.
An opportunity of a change.
Allura stood straight, inhaling deeply before making her way in front of the screen once more, her presence suddenly imposing such as her title.
"We accept the suggestion. Not for you or your kind, but for mine. Peace is all Altean's had ever wanted, it was Galran's who brought war. If what your implying is correct... I wish to see that for myself and make a decision after. This does not mean I am lending you my aid." She said with every ounce of authority, her words were final. The Galra, Kolivan, offered a firm nod. Even through screens, it seems he felt the finality.
"Very well, we shall send him soon. I assure you, Majesty. He won't disappoint any expectations."
With a final bow, the call was over. The green light faded along with it.
•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈
"I don't understand, why am I supposed to babysit the giant Galra?!"
"Because, Lance. The purpose of his arrival is to give this Blade of Marmora a chance. However, that does not mean we must trust him on sight, he needs to earn that. And who better to keep an eye on a terrifying Galra other than our greatest hero?" Allura answered with a wink, playful smile painting her stern features at the last question. Using Lance's good reputation and ego against him, low blow Allura.
They were walking through the castle, specifically making their way to the outside of it where the supposed ship with this 'trustworthy' Galra was meant to arrive. Coran had been left behind in the castle, waiting for any sign of the familiar ship to allow its entrance.
As soon as the call ended, they had been preparing. Allura made sure to inform all of Altea about the upcoming visit, guaranteeing that it had been the Queen's decision for the Galran to arrive and that said Galra meant no harm.
For now.
The people had been confused, terrified, unwilling. It had taken a bit of convincing for them to be somewhat okay with it. Particularly because it was the Queen's decision and no one could really refute her. It only took some encouraging words from their brave Prince and hero to fully agree.
So now here they were, waiting outside of the castle along with many Altean's. The Queen had offered them a choice, there was no need to stay to greet the Galran, she understood her people's fear. However, many decided to stay.
To prove bravery? For merely curiosity? To judge the alien in person? Who knows. But they were here, that gave the Royal's some solace.
The ship came flying from the vast galaxy and endless sky into the planet of Altea and in front of the Queen's castle. It's landing was nothing but perfect, slow and safely away from any Altean's below, the Galra inside must be very talented.
A few seconds tiked by, the anticipation and nervousness were eating him alive. Lance's fingers busied themselves with a loose string that he had just discovered flying from his cape, he couldn't keep himself still.
Inside that ship, was one of the very kind of aliens who he once upon a time came face to face with to save the few Altean's that remained. The very kind who he watched slaughter sensly his people. The kind that he himself had taken down to ensure the security of the Altean's held hostage inside one of their many ships that had first arrived into Altea. The kind that he has come to fear and resent with all his being and prayed to the stars never see one of their purple faces again.
The kind that he would have to follow and watch every second that killer set foot into his planet.
Just his luck.
'It's only one of them' he thought, trying to convince himself. To ease his heartbeat and restless twitching.
The Prince couldn't help but glance behind his back, catching a glimpse of the edge of his bow. Just in case, he wouldn't take any risks. Not after everything.
The ship opened with a distinguished hiss, the door moving to the side and allowing Altean's own oxygen inside. A sudden outstanding mullet peaked through the entrance and in the next second the first Galra to ever step foot into Altea after reconstruction and close elimination stood proud and tall.
•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈
Zarkons Empire, the most dangerous Galran's around the galaxy who had brought numerous destruction and deaths every course to any different planet they took.
They were unstoppable, trained machines who were programmed to only obey Zarkon's will and command. When the boss of said soldiers was the most cold hearted and ruthless villan of them all, that's when things started to get troublesome.
Thankfully, because of those same atrocities stood an opposite force. Rebels who decided to make a difference and actually do something about the problem at hand, about the injustice and eradication of planets and people around the galaxy.
Aliens of the same species with different objectives, sworn to a different purpose, are determined to achieve opposite goals.
An intelligence group, using its members to infiltrate the inner workings of Zarkon's armies, to feed information of that outside of their ranks fighting against Zarkon. Their numbers may be small, but it's their knowledge will be what lead them to victory.
Obviously it couldn't be that simple. The Blade of Marmora was formed when Keith was just a kid, a battle he had witnessed with his own tiny eyes.
There had been many obliterations through the course of Zarkon's Empire, countless deaths and conquest. Altea, however, was a battle that no Galran could simply forget, for this was the first planet who actually declared war.
Instead of standing to the side, hiding or escaping to the next planet they could find; Alteans raised their weapons, their hands full of magical energy and refused to let their planet fall into the enemy's hands.
Foolish, many would say. It was their blindness sense of faith and power that led them to the extermination of the majority of their people when they could have simply just fled as many as they could.
Admirable, Keith thought. It was only because of that same faith that they managed to restore once again over the course of time and eliminated some Galrans.
Such a small action, with more losses than achievements. For a few Galrans such as Keith, it was estimable.
Not that he thought that they had been wise, more of them would have definitely survived if they had left their planet and found refuge in another. It was the thought, however. The action of not abandoning their home and fighting for it instead, willing to fall with it if necessary. They had been brave, he would give them that.
But, having somewhat admiration towards them and being given the opportunity to personally meet them were two very different things.
Because of that particular war, they hated Galrans. The big majority of the galaxy hated Galrans, but this was different. Hatred fell too short for the amount of feelings involved. They were resentful, absolutely despised and abhorred Galra.
If being a competition Alteans would definitely make it to top three.
And to think Keith had been incredibly unlucky to be the Galra among many Galrans to fulfill the particular task of arriving to this planet, alone, stay for who knows how long and allow the Queen to interrogate and observe him. He found the observing part especially upsetting.
It wasn't given at random. Kolivan was close to him, he watched Keith grow up and witnessed first hand his training. He knew how capable Keith was and even considered him family.
After the departure of his mother while fighting Zarkon's Empire, Kolivan took responsibility over him. Something Keith appreciated deeply.
Feelings aside, Kolivan had chosen Keith mainly because he wasn't entirely Galran. Human blood resides within his bones, making him smaller than any average Galran but still taller than other common aliens such as Alteans. In Kolivan's mind, this would be safer, less intimidating and would somewhat lower the Queen's wrath, in Keith's this was a suicide mission.
The travel to Altea had taken a couple of hours, luckily the ship was fast enough to allow that. Once close and away enough from the planet and its barrier, it had taken a simple sign for it to make way for the ship, a gap big enough for it to fit.
Once inside, the landing had been unexpectedly more tedious than he imagined. For there was a multitude of Alteans apparently waiting for his arrival, Keith didn't know what to make of it.
The ship landed, he was able to make out some of the many faces around the flying machine. Wary, unsure, waiting.
Keith couldn't allow himself to be nervous, he was here for a reason, this was his mission. He would make sure to fulfill it for the sake of The Blade and the galaxy.
With one final deep breath, he opened the door and stepped outside, inhaling steadily his first breath on the unknown planet.
His foot landed on the planets ecosystem, over a surface that wasn't meant to be there. A planet that should have been long gone but it had strongly refused.
Keith stood, the first Galran after its reconstruction to ever see for itself Altea's progress. To ever witness its resurrection.
Keith raised his gaze from his footsteps and the planet who was now below him and not many hours away from his ship on a screen. His vision landing on the many wary faces he had seen below him a few instances before, finding them... Worse.
The whole planet was completely silent as many rounded and colorful eyes stared at him. Some hid from his gaze, others persisted. Their expressions completely blank, as if some haven't determined how they should react or what they should do now that there was an actual Galran on their planet.
Those few who had survived the war, their expressions were of complete hatred. Those who had only heard the tales of them, younger Alteans and below, stared blankly at him.
It creeped the hell out of Keith. He didn't like those expressionless eyes one bit. He had been expecting the hatred, had expected the fear, the sense of vengeance for their lost family and friends. And Keith, he would handle it professionally as he always did. This wasn't the first planet that hated Galran and therefore, hated Keith's very existence.
What he wasn't prepared for was for... Nothing. Absolutely no emotion ran through thouse vacant eyes, and they... Kept staring. He had no doubt they could see his very soul, his core.
Keith tried looking anywhere but those eyes, trying to find the Queen as an excuse to flee.
"Welcome." A voice called out from the multitude, its voice strained and sharp as if offering a simple welcome was too much for this person.
From what Keith recently discovered was his new nightmare emerged a single male Altean, not many different from all the other Alteans. White hair that shined along the light, blue radiant eyes, slightly pointed ears, tanned skin and pretty freckles. The Altean was dressed very elegantly, a small cape fell from his shoulders onto his back, covering part of his arms in the process and Keith knew, from the way the Altean moved gracefully and sweeped the cape with his every step, that it had to mean something. Jewelry adorned his ears, wrists and neck along with a small crown on his forehead.
Now that, no doubt, meant something. But no matter how much Keith tried rattling his brain for information, he couldn't recognize the Altean before him.
His eyes, however... Weren't... Lifeless. They were angry, yes, but also confident. If this Altean was scared by Keith's presence, he saw no sign of it. It almost seemed as if he was challenging Keith, to do what? He couldn't know, but Keith never backed up from a challenge.
"Who are you?" He asked, because he had to know. He needed to know who this odd Altean was and why was he so different.
"Who am I? Uh, the name's Lance." Was his answer, cocky and smug as he crossed his arms over his chest. A knowing glint in his eyes, as if that information alone was enough, as if he was a figure of power.
Which he could be, but Keith had never heard of him.
"..."
"Prince of Altea? Symbol of reconstruction and peace?? Come on, Ive made quite a name here!" Lance said, offended.
Just like that, something clicked in Keith's mind. That's right, he had heard of this Prince. A once ordinary Altean who after the war with Galran's saved as many of his people as he could and helped to reconstruct once again Altea. Earning the Queens trust along with his title.
Now the cape made sense, of course this guy would wear a cape.
"Oh, right. You were that ordinary Altean that was proclaimed Royalty." Keith said, suddenly disinterested. Royalty and positions of power never felt right to him, even if this Altean had earned it. The Queen, he could tolerate for the sake of the mission, this Prince? Not a part of his mission, no obligation of being nice.
"A title that was earned, thanks to your kind invading our planet." Lance snapped right back.
"Well, congratulations your Majesty. But I'm sure you've heard enough of those."
"Welcome, Galran." Came in another kind of welcome, not less forced but much more intended to hide the discomfort. Keith couldn't help but feel grateful for the interruption, this conversation could finally be directed elsewhere.
The Queen, this Keith could recognize. Her divinity and imponent presence just as the tales said. She was without a doubt, perfection itself.
Keith bowed to her immediately, Lance scoffed by his side. Probably resentful by not being given the same treatment.
"Youre Majesty, as a member of the Blade of Marmora, we are grateful for this opportunity-"
"Yes, I am well aware. Kolivan, was it? Has spoken very well of you, Keith Kogane." The Queen interrupted, he could see her hatred, the way she barely even made proper eye contact with him.
Keith couldn't blame her, couldn't blame any of the Alteans here, not really. Even if the war happened long before Keith had a proper knowledge of things, even if he had no part of it. Even if he too lost people, important people, by the hands of the same Galran's who had also hurt them.
He couldn't bring himself to blame them.
"It is a pleasure, Majesty. I am honored for this opportunity." Was his answer, even if all he wanted to do was flee from this planet and make it someone else's problem.
"I can see you have met Prince Lance, savior of our planet." She gestured towards said Prince who had remained the entirety of the introduction by her side. Puffing his chest with a wide smirk by being included and acknowledged.
Keith didn't tolerate him already.
"We've met." Was his simple answer, not even allowing Lance a side glance. He could sense the frustration even if he couldn't see it.
"Wonderful! Since he will be the one to escort you and guide you through Altea should you get lost. You will be seeing each other often." The Queen said, clapping her hands together with a sudden enthusiasm he had no doubt was all knowing.
Keith successfully kept the scowl off his face, Lance didn't even try.
"This will ensure better comfort for Alteans and to allow your experience here a better one. I assure you, Lance is good company." She explained, it's not as if Keith could make any demands. He was merely here to be observed and interrogated after all, forced to make a good impression in name of every member of the Blade.
It's not as if he had any personal problems with Lance, he was simply one more Altean of the bunch who found Keith's entire existence inconsequential. Nothing new, however, it didn't feel quite the same.
Lance's hatred for him was different, instead of cowering away or shutting himself down such as the other Alteans or simply having no interest at all for him aside from his species such as the Queen, he was persistent and prideful. Not only expressing his discomfort in such noticeable ways but also engaging with him. Pushing his buttons, challenging him, giving him a hard time. It made Keith feel... Seen, even if it was for the worse.
He was being noticed for his impulsive nature and careless attitude aside from the fact that he was simply, Galran.
It was different, it was intriguing, it was kinda... Fun.
Keith drifted from those thoughts, offering a simple nod, apparently that was good enough for the Queen who immediately started walking in direction of the castle.
"Come along, then." She said, sparing no glance behind her back.
Keith looked at Lance, he was looked back in return. A following gesture, and Keith followed after the Queen's steps with Lance tagging behind. Not being trusted to follow on his own accord it seemed.
Keith could feel the calculating gazes behind his back, waiting for any mistake or error from him. Waiting, to react. As those gazes grew further and further away, Keith was finally able to breathe again.