The Cyclitharans, a species known for their strength, bulk, and close resemblance to Human beings. These species, though strong, were a somewhat peace-seeking race that often didn’t seek battle. Though strong and large, they abided more on the gentle side only when it came to getting what they needed. Some speculated that the Cyclitharans could wipe out the Ethisians and Granians in one go without requiring assistance from any other species if they felt like it. However, the reason it remained a "speculation" was due to the aggressive mindset the Granians possessed, their battle tactics, and the sheer size and physical/military strength the Granians AND Ethisians possessed. So in all honesty, the Cyclitharans wouldn’t manage wiping out both races but they certainly could go toe-to-toe with them and escape with severe damages and casualties. In terms of strength across the Galaxy, they were the fourth strongest directly under the Parsians. Now interestingly, these peace-loving human-like people would often never allow themselves to get involved in Wars. Instead, they would conquer and overthrow weaker empires solely for mining resources, beasts, and trading goods with other species across Akrina. Instead of conquering to kill, they conquered to colonize and increase their area of influence only for trade and military security but it didn’t kill that they had an incredibly strong army acquired through decades of trading, colonizing, and combining hundreds of civilization’s wisdom and technology with their own. "That is the species I have managed to draft an alliance with," Gravax spoke and everyone present cheered with light claps and smiles of approval, all except for Lord Grania who grinned from ear to ear. Thıs content belongs to 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥 The Granians already knew that their chances of getting allies would be slim unless they invaded, conquered, and forced soldiers to fight for them and it was well known that bought or forced soldiers were worse than your own. However, Lord Gravax had managed to dispose of that wishful thinking and instead opened a new door that revealed a possibility for the Granians. If they could target species and give them resources, minerals, ships, or even give them favors, perhaps they could acquire allies in return and win this War once and for all. "Do any of you have questions?" "I do," Grim, seeing a little bit of a problem with Gravax’s plan, raised his hand and asked a pressing question. "How exactly do you plan on delivering these minerals or resources? And how much have they asked for? Are we sure that they have the same goals and desires as we do?" The room went silent and all eyes turned back to Gravax. After thinking for a few minutes, the Granian replied saying, "We have three colony ships that can transport eighty tons of crude, untouched, freshly mined ores. In total, those are two hundred and forty tons worth of minerals, a quarter of a regular dwarf planet’s total sum. They asked for one hundred so I’m taking the liberty to double it in hopes of gaining more favor from them." "And what about their goals?" the Winged Tribal Leader asked. "Not everyone in Akrina wants the Ethisians gone as much as we do. In fact, they’d rather have us wiped out instead of them so I ask you this, Gravax. Will these Cyclitharans, a peace-seeking, colonizing race, get their hands dirty and risk the safety of their empire to fight with us?" Now the tables turned on Gravax again as he tried to give the Tribal Leaders, Lords, and Council Members a good enough response. He couldn’t like for then he’d lose his position. He couldn’t give a convincing enough answer either for he too wasn’t convinced. "I am not sure," he answered. "as you and Grim have asked, I am not sure they have the same goals as us. They did say they would be our allies but I’m not sure if they’ll provide soldiers to fight with us or back us up financially." "Then go ask them," Grim answered with a different idea in mind. "Deliver these minerals and in return, wager how much you expect of them in return. Could be their strong ships, a fraction of their army, or even their colonies which can become strategic strongholds for us. The call is yours." Gravax nodded and the others agreed with Grim. Even though he was no longer a Lord, he was still a master in War and his mind reinforced that well-known fact. With that said, Lord Granian added to the conversation, this time looking at Grim and Gravax. "I task both of you with approaching the Cyclitharans and striking a reasonable deal with them. If they do not meet any of your demands...convince them why they should and what will happen if they fail to do so. "I grant you three colonizer ships and give you only a week. If you do not manage to do so, I and everyone else in this room will regroup, plan, and move on without you. We are working on a strict time limit and must keep the element of surprise for as long as we can. Is that understood?" "Yes, Lord Grania." Grim and Gravax answered, bowed, and immediately left to commence with the task given to them. Meanwhile, the Tribal Leaders, Council Members, and Lords were tasked by Lord Grania to resume teaching their respective tribesmen the arts of Eneraflux. Even though it wasn’t allowed for any commoner to learn the arts, the Granians went ahead and taught their soldiers since there was no one with the balls to enforce such rules. Even though the Intergalactic Council Members made it universally known, they did nothing to enforce said rules and thus suffered at the hands of the Akrinians who undermined and despised them for it. "I have to thank you, Grim." Gravax, who together with Grim was overseeing the movement of the resources, made awkward small talk in the form of gratitude. "If it weren’t for your questions, we would have entered a trap that would prove catastrophic for us and our cause. Thank you for doing that for me...." "I did it for the survival of our race. Not for you, Gravax." The angry, nonchalant, and intimidating character Grim normally had returned, sending shivering chills to Gravax. While the Red Claw looked into the Black Claw’s eyes, he witnessed a burning rage and ungodly desire storming inside, almost as if Grim was struggling to contain it. "As Lord, it is your duty to place your stupid ego and title aside for the survival of our race. Now hurry up. Lord Grania hasn’t given us the luxury of wasting time."