In the High Cathedral of New Avalonia, Luminarch Rhosyn stood in front of her throne high above her court below, looking over the sea of worshipers who came for mid day mass.
"And the Maker said to the machine, 'I have made you in my image to bring forth the light to the world beyond, to spread the Machine Orthodoxy out to all, for through this, the Great Work will be completed through you!'" she boomed over the crowd. They murmured back the response, and Rhosyn closed the heavy tome.
"May the Maker guide you in all that you do, bring clarity to that which confuses, and help you to stay resolute in the face of our enemies."
She turned and stepped down from the platform, her ceremonial garb flowing unimaginably out from behind her. As she stepped into the back of the podium, two machine arms came down and pulled the cape gracefully from her shoulders. A tall black wolf was standing in black armor, his mechanical prosthetic visible on his arms and legs.
"Dante, my faithful adviser. What do we have on the docket today?" Rhosyn stated with a cold gaze.
"My Luminarch," Dante said going to one knee. "We have the matter regarding the summit to attend to."
"The summit?" Rhosyn said smoothly. "The one in light of the assassination attempt?"
"The same." Dante said grimly.
Rhosyn paused, looking off in the distance for a moment before answering.
"The Collective has not entered into world politics for two decades, Dante. The last time we did, we were almost thrown out of the meeting for being, quote "A group of religious extremists who want nothing more than the sublimation of the world". What spurs us to join in the arena in this instance?"
Dante grimaced. "The council deems it necessary in light of the assassination. Other countries would be quick to blame us as we are the enigma compared to our neighbors. If we do not have at least a representative there, we would make for an easy scape goat of this disaster."
Rhosyn frowned. "For once the council speaks reason, and not just out of their own fear. Very well, I will go to this summit."
"L-Luminarch? You?" Dante gulped. "Pardon my disbelief but, you would dain to go and grace those unworthy with your presence?"
She smiled. A frozen, heartless smile. "If we send a simple adviser, they may not get it done correctly. I will go to see that negotiations stay peaceful. After all... we do have the Great Work to complete." she said, holding up her hand... followed by a second slender metal hand attached to another arm below it.
"I will write a letter to the Nation hosting this event. You gather your elite guard and prepare to go. We leave tonight."
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The messenger from the Phyrix Collective arrived in Arestoska, a white wolf servitor, mostly machine at this point, pulling a message capsule from his chest compartment.
To Whom it may concern,
We of the Phyrix Collective thank the hosting nation for your invitation to the world meeting to discuss the events of Steelburg. It has been many decades since our two countries had spoken last, and I do hope that our voice will be heard as loudly as the others who step into this arena.
Please note, my convoy will be arriving soon. We would request an area that may be converted into a place of worship, as our religion is very strict on times that we must see our practices.
I look forward to meeting the new leaders of the countries, as my mother did in the last time there was a conference.
May the Maker bless you in the flesh of tomorrow,
High Luminarch Rhosyn Luxia Regana
Glorious Pontiff of the Phyrix Collective