Carlos turned to him while grinning. "Stop being a crybaby and man up, Rex. Especially now that you just conquered a goddamn world!"
He downed the rest of his beer and smacked Rex on the back. "Anyway, I'll be counting on you to send my kid to the best damn school in your domain!"
Rex let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect free tuition."
Carlos let out a loud laugh. "Asshole."
The city hummed below them like a silent witness to their rise.
The heavy doors of the meeting chamber hissed shut behind Rex and Carlos. The room was already filled with Cleo at the head of the table, Zynaria standing like a statue behind her, and the defeated world's administrators seated stiffly in their chairs.
At the center, the little girl clutched the edge of the table, her knuckles white.
Cleo rose, her holographic displays flickering to life. "Now that we're all here—"
Rex's hand landed on her shoulder, gently but firmly pressing her back into her seat.
