Once the shuttle landed, the doors hissed open, revealing the Imperial Capital's Parade Grounds. The crowds were already very excited, their voices amplified by the sheer number of people. Daimon stepped forward out of the shuttle, flanked by eight Empyrean Guards, wearing their ceremonial armor with their gold cloaks. The crowd cheered even louder seeing the protectors of the Emperor accompanying him.
In terms of favorability amongst the people, the Empyrean Guards had quickly captured the people's hearts as they were the Emperor's protectors and were considered by some to be normal people who were transformed into demi-gods by Daimon to continue protecting the Imperium for foreseeable future.
For as far as he could see, from every corner of the horizon, the banners of the Imperium hanged from the skyscrapers of the Capital city, the bridges, and even balconies. Entire buildings were covered in holographic images with hundreds of Raptor Fighters flying overhead, and scenes of Legions of Ascendants and other soldiers planting the banners of the Imperium on former Abominor worlds.
Daimon stepped onto the pathway that extended through the capital's main avenue and proceeded to walk to the end while waving at the people. On each side of the pathway, the elite Veldari Security Forces (VSF) who are in charge of ensuring law and order over the planet were standing in two long lines. Their presence was more ceremonial than it was as a show of force as nobody would dare attack Daimon on Veldari. It was the homeworld of the Gen'Dai and capital planet of the Veldari Imperium, and Daimon was the Emperor. Attacking him would incur the wrath of billions of people and result in a quick death.
At the end of the path, stood a massive gold and silver platform that hovered above the citizens, generals, foreign dignitaries, and entire regiments of Imperial troops. Already standing on top of the platform was Elara, who had arrived before Daimon to make a few preparations.
Once Daimon walked onto the platform, she raised her hand, causing the crowd of millions to become silent. At the same, thousands of banners were snapped to attention alongside the formation of soldiers as this was the signal that the speech was about to begin.
"Citizens of the Imperium." she started. "Today we gather to celebrate the victory of our soldiers in the war. The Abominor have been defeated, and the soldiers have continued to fulfill their solemn duty to the Imperium for over 350 years now. But let us not forget the fallen who had also perished in this war. Their names will be forever etched into the hall of heroes as they laid down their lives to fight against the enemies of the Imperium. So, while today is for celebration, let us also honor those who gave their lives so that we could keep living."
A wave of mourning spread throughout the crowd as a few minutes of silence passed. The skies above darkened, as squadrons of fighters and bombers flew in diamond formations, trailed by long streaks of smoke. Massive banners projected between escort ships unfurled, bearing the names of legions and fallen war heroes.
On the ground, column after column of the Imperium's finest walked out, marching in formation. First came the Immortals, followed by the 6th and 8th Legions, led by General Varros himself. Thousands of boots hit the parade floor as the people cheered for the soldiers marching.
As they passed the central platform, each regiment gave a ceremonial salute with their hands over their hearts, symbolizing the lives they fought to protect. Following behind them were Walkers, all painted with fresh kill tallies and adorned in ceremonial colors. Behind them came the Ascendants, blades sheathed as they marched forward with their rifles in hand.
After about an hour of this, the crowd grew silent as a massive hover-platform emerged in the sky. Upon it rested the statue of the fallen, carved from obsidian, bronze, and starstone. It depicted a nameless soldier, male and female aspects combined, holding a broken blade while shielding a child behind them. The statue glowed with a faint light as a way to show that those it honored were still present among the living in some way.
The platform was set up in the middle of the city as a new monument. The people visited the monument and paid their respects, while those who lost their mother, father, son, or daughter in the war had come to feel the presence of their loved ones one more time. Progenitor Telys Kaor had connected with the dead and used their memories to create a Force infused object that would use the personality and memories of the fallen to project artificial projection that they could talk to for some time.
After a few days, the city had become crowded with millions who visited from worlds across the Imperium to see their dead just one more time to get some type of close. On the final day, Daimon said a few words and conducted a military ceremony to reward the soldiers who participated in the war with the Abominor War Medal which would let it be known that this individual was a war hero who fought against an enemy of the Imperium.
On the seventh day, the victory celebration was officially over, and the people had returned to their normal everyday lives. Meanwhile, Daimon and other high-ranking officials had gathered together in the palace meeting room and went over what was going to happen to the newly acquired territory.
Sitting at the head of this table, was Daimon, next to him was Elara and Sera. Sera was there because she was his most trusted friend. Sera had the closest relationship with Daimon throughout the entire Imperium, even more so than the Progenitors. This was because she was formerly his padawan and they had spent several decades together in the Jedi Order before he left.
On the left side of the table would be 5 Progenitors. The first was Kael Thoryn due to his position as the Grand Chancellor. He was second to Daimon in terms of hierarchy in the Imperium. Next to him would be Orin Volkar, the Overlord of Expansion. He would oversee the expansion of the Imperium throughout these newly acquired planets and sectors while also Force Terraforming planets as needed.
Next to him was Darek Thalor, the Grand Minister of Health and Genetics. As he was in charge of all Health-related matters of the Imperium, he would be needed to ensure that the treatment and other things would be given to the freed slaves that encompassed the new territory.
After him was Liraen Vos, the Lord Marshal of the Imperium. Unlike her brother, Raelos Vyn who was the Warmaster of the Imperium, she was the deputy, and her focus was mainly on the internal security of the Imperium. She would be in charge of overseeing the security of each planet and sector such as building defenses and establishing new supply lines.
Lastly, seated next to Liraen was Malis Kaevor, the High Pontifex of the Department of Divine Imperial Doctrine. As the High Pontifex, he oversaw the overall faith of the Imperium, pushing to the people the teachings of the religion centered around Daimon. Naturally, with so many new people being brought under the Imperium, he needed to ensure that they knew who Daimon was and what he was essentially and guided them down the correct path.
On the other side of the table were the 5 High Lords and Ladies of the Imperium. Unlike Sera who held the high title of Archduke, a High Lord or High Lady was the title granted to a select few people who were all granted Immortality by Daimon and had established their noble houses. At the moment, all 5 High Lords or Ladies were Human as they were from amongst the original 20 orphans that Daimon raised to become great administrators and fighters of the Imperium before the creation of the Veldari Imperium.
The first was Lucan Arterius, one of the Grand Sages of the Order of the Balance Keepers. Unlike the rank of Guardian, which is similar to a Jedi Master, Grand Sage was a step above that and were mainly in charge of presiding over the training of future generations of the Order, advising the Progenitors, and preserving the archives and knowledge of the Order. He was present at the meeting to serve as an advisor to Daimon during this gathering and because he was one of five High Lords throughout the entire Imperium and his family, the Arterius family, was one of the biggest in terms of influence.
After him was Ronan Galerius, a strategist for the Balance Keepers. While a Grand Sage was similar to the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, a Strategist was a Force User exclusive position where the person was effectively an advisor to Progenitors, Generals, and other officers during times of war. During peace time, they were the ones carrying out inspections of certain military installations across the Imperium, ensuring they were always up to standards and operating and max efficiency. During war, they would deploy to the frontlines and advise officers during battle with their century worth of expertise.
Next to him was Vanya Kaelen, a non-Force User who was the head of House Kaelen. Established a few decades after the founding of the Imperium, House Kaelen quickly rose to power under Daimon's guidance as a house of commerce. Vanya herself worked under the Grand Chancellor as head of the Imperium's Economic departments. She negotiated trade agreements with foreign nations and managed the overall economy of the Imperium. If it had anything to do with money, she would know about it.
Next to her was Tiberon Raith, another non-Force User who was the head of House Raith. Established at the same time as House Kaelon, House Raith rose to power as a house of Intelligence and Shadows. Unlike House Kaelen or the martial prestige of House Vyn, Hous Raith specialized in the shadows, more specifically espionage, counterintelligence, black operations, and psychological warfare. They trained cover agents who were known as Whispers, each one indoctrinated from youth, many modified through gene therapy and neuro-conditioning. Tiberon and his House worked directly under Progenitor Varyn Dreyl and the Imperial Intelligence Directorate.
Lastly, was Caelia Renara, the High Lady of House Renara. House Renara was more involved in the politics of the Imperium as the head of the Court of Nobles. Out of all the nobles, she was very charismatic and was political genius. While not a Force user, she still wielded considerable influence and was considered a legendary beauty. She worked under Progenitor Nyssa Revar in the Office of Imperial Diplomacy and forged pacts with several minor factions located within and around the Republic.
Despite having considerable influence, the loyalty of these individuals gathered here was unquestionable. They were all raised by Daimon in way and saw him as a God essentially for the things he has achieved.
Now, with all of them present, the meeting was about to officially begin.