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They both provided special resources (aestuspith and erythrostones) and assassination services, and had power over their own territories, with their own factions

Their resources are both naturally occuring, but I could see Valko having lab-made resources. The wolf symbolism would definitely have him with his own faction and territory. There would also need to be an antagonist in their story — maybe Valko's family/matriarch disagrees with allying with the empire, or sharing their scientific secrets (the empire could make dangerous weapons with that knowledge)

Which would be totally justified, but Empress MC is pretty harsh, based on what she did to Rafayel's planet. The question is kind of — why does Valko want to ally with her? Common enemy seems like a thing (Ever) in the main lore, but I don't know about allying against his justified Grandma 😅 There's also the enemies to lovers aspect, so maybe he doesn't like her at first, but they grow on each other?

Ooh, imagine if their fight was Valko being sent to assassinate her (probably by his Grandma), because the empire's had its heel on his people. MC has to renegotiate the empire's relationship with them. This is beneficial for 'EonCore', so when she's not there negotiating (because she still has an empire to run, and matters to attend to at home), Valko is sent with her as a bodyguard, to make sure no one destabilises the empire before new accords benefiting EonCore are secured.

I’ve thought that maybe there would be some third party or corruption going on, like in Xavier’s or Caleb’s stories in Throne of Eros. Some kind of mutual enemy MC needs Valko’s help for. I was thinking he could be some kind of mercenary leader? A secret prince pretending to be a rogue type of character. Also, since the fandom was calling it the Star Wars banner, I think it would fit for Valko to be a Han Solo type.

And the song for Throne of Eros fits so much, I’m in love with the idea of Valko being in that banner.

As for Mortality’s Tenderness, I think Valko would fit so well as a spirit or a story that was similar to the qixi festival’s story, where the lovers are separated and once a year can reunite.

The more I think of it, the more I can see ✨the vision✨

The Qixi festival legend, as I understand it, is the love story of Niulang and Zhinü, the cowheard and the weaver girl. Their love was forbidden by the weaver girl’s elders and the heavens, and so, to keep them apart, Niulang is cast from the heavens and to Earth, while Zhinü is kept in the skies. They still found each other and married, but they were separated once more, this time by a river of stars. It is said that once a year, a bridge is made for the lovers to cross and reunite. Here’s where I found it.

We already have a star named after Valko, and the 6LI truthers already had theories about it before we knew about Valko, so I think the concept would fit him well😊

Picture it. Valko and MC as gods or spirits, Valko’s family deaming the relationship forbidden and casting Valko away, only for MC and Valko to do whatever it takes to come back to each other!

And in the end, when all hope seems lost, MC crosses a bridge and sees Valko on the other side💚