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[@Dragonruby]

Amenmesh walked alongside the Terrans, leading them into the Basilica. His upright stance was nearly twice the height of theirs, and he weighed many times what they did, even combined. As they entered the pressurized environment of the Basilica, the difference was all the more noticeable. The corridors were massive compared to the Terrans, and large even for the Ophisian Lord. The trio's steps echoed up the corridor, the staccato notes of the Terrans' strides punctuated regularly by the heavy bass of Amenmesh's steps.

Around the corner, they could hear a large door open and then close. Another minute, and Amenmesh was opening the very same door. In the pathway beyond, he saw the Heretic Lord Menlir walking up to his seat, having arrived only moments before Amenmesh and the Terrans. After ushering the xenos inside and pointing out their seating, Amenmesh made his way to his own seat on Ua-Menlir's right. 

The Terrans' seating was in a raised platform at the side of the chamber, just high enough to see over the Ophisian giants to the apse at the far end of the room. As the ceremony began, they could see eight Ophisian priests stepping out onto the apse from two doors on either end. Seven of them stood in front of the seven Lords, while the eighth stood behind the center one. They began to recite a hymn, and though much of the vocabulary was beyond the xenos' grasp, they could make out some of it. It was a prayer thanking God for killing itself. If they were looking closely, the Terrans would notice that only two Lords raised their heads in prayer along with the priests. 

After the hymn was finished, the process of Lugal Gu'Enak immediately began. Amenmesh had explained the concept to the Terrans as they prepared to leave the embassy, but he had kept it vague. All they knew was that each Lord would nominate another to lead and represent the Congregation. Then, the two Lords with the most nominations would have to prove to the other five that they were the right choice of the two. Beyond that, Amenmesh had been silent.

The vote began on the leftmost seat from the perspective of the priests. Lord Amenmesh, then, would cast his vote first. 

"In the eyes of God, I call for Brother Zisuthra to lead us."

The Heretic was next.

"In the eyes of my brothers, I call for Brother Amenmesh to lead us."

Amenmesh was shocked, turning some heads toward the Heretic, who wore an expression that could best be described as taunting. It had only taken the Heretic a moment to figure out Amenmesh's plans and shoot it full of holes. The Pious took a moment to come back to his senses, and brushed it off, turning forward again. If the other Lords behaved as expected -- in some cases, as promised -- there would be no issues.

Zisuthra, as expected, nominated himself. Nosi and Ugar cast their votes for Lord Ugar. Ikishun wasted his vote on himself. And finally, Megalu was to vote.

"In the eyes of God and my brothers," Megalu spoke slowly, "I call for Brother Amenmesh to lead us."

Megalu had fallen back on his promise to Amenmesh. His vote was to be for Zisuthra, guaranteeing at the least a tie against Ugar, who would no doubt have withdrawn his name in the face of trial-by-combat. Now, the vote stood at a three way tie between Ugar, Zisuthra, and Amenmesh.

The priests picked up on the tie without skipping a beat. Beginning with the priest in front of Amenmesh, who was to represent his interests in religious ceremonies and processes, they began to vote.

"In the eyes of God and the interests of Lord Amenmesh, I call for Lord Zisuthra to lead the Congregation." There was a chance to salvage the vote yet. Ikishun's religious representative couldn't, in good conscience, vote for him. It was one matter for a Lord to throw away his vote, and another for a fragment of God to do the same.

Ua-Menlir's priest, Al-Abil, cast her vote for Amenmesh. Zisuthra's priest cast for Zisuthra. Nosi's representative voted for Ugar. The election was back on track. If Amenmesh and Ugar tied for runner-up and Zisuthra won the vote because of the priests, it would come to trial-by-combat and Zisuthra would pick his opponent. They had already planned for this possibility, and Amenmesh had been promised Zisuthra would fight Ugar. 

Al-Ninduk began to speak, representing Ugar's interests in the eyes of God. She voted for Amenmesh. Once again, Amenmesh was struck dumb, and glanced over to Ugar, who was clearly angry. Al-Ninduk had gone against Ugar's plans.

Ikishun's priest voted Zisuthra. Megalu's advisor called for Amenmesh. A tie. Amenmesh would engage in mortal combat with Zisuthra the next day.

---

Following the closing rites, the Lords were dismissed from the Basilica main hall. Amenmesh stood hurriedly and beckoned to the Terrans as he exited the room and made his way down the corridors. 

"Do you understand what has happened here today?"

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