Continent of Astralis — The Aurenfold Empire
The capital city of Solmara, once a gleaming testament to human glory, now trembled in silence.
Three days had passed since the sky cracked and the Dominator spoke.
Three days since Kaelen Aurelius Drayce — the fallen boy turned cosmic threat — declared war.
The Empire had not yet moved.
Because it was paralyzed.
The Imperial Court
Inside the Solar Throne Hall, golden chandeliers flickered uneasily.
Emperor Lucius Auren, once known as the "Sunblade of Mankind," sat hunched in his throne — crown askew, lips pale.
Before him, the High Nobles, Warlords, Scholars, and Generals argued in heated chaos.
"He's just one man!"
"He's not a man anymore!"
"We have ten legions—"
"He erased a realm with a breath!"
"What if we allied—?"
"What if we ran?"
Lucius raised one hand.
Silence fell like a blade.
His voice was hoarse.
"Kaelen Drayce is back.
He gave us three years.
We will use them.
Or we will die screaming."
The Hidden Chamber — The Secret Orders
Beneath the throne, in a vault only five living souls could enter,
the Emperor met with his most trusted forces:
Lord Maelin, head of the Shadow Accord.
Archmagus Virelle, Grand Arcanist.
Warlord Kaevan, commander of the Godsteel Vanguard.
Lady Elyss, High Inquisitor, blood-bound to ancient divinations.
And Lucius himself — afraid, but not broken.
They stood before an ancient map of the world, pulsing with ley lines and spirit threads.
Kaelen's aura was marked in glowing crimson gold —
radiating from Heartland like a sun preparing to devour.
"What are our options?" Lucius asked.
"Run," said Maelin. "Abandon the thrones. Hide in other realms."
"Betray him," Elyss said. "Send assassins before he reaches full strength."
"Ally with him," Virelle whispered. "Or at least stall."
"Prepare," Kaevan said. "And hope we can hold one city when the storm comes."
Lucius clenched his fists.
"Then we prepare.
But let it be known—
if the Dominator comes for Aurenfold,
he will not find cowards.
He will find us on our feet."
The Royal Family — Internal Fracture
His daughter, Princess Valessia Auren, a prodigy in the Sovereign Blade Path,
stood by a high window.
She had once fought beside Kaelen at the early Awakener tournaments.
She had once admired him.
Now, she feared him.
And perhaps…
envied him.
"He did what we never could.
He broke the chains."
Her brother, Prince Elric, scoffed.
"He's a monster."
"He's what the world made him."
They stood in silence, watching the crimson star that now hung near Heartland —
a visible sign of Kaelen's return.
The Aurenfold Army — Doubt
At the Vanguard Barracks, whispers grew louder.
Some soldiers trained harder.
Others deserted in the night.
And across the legions, a new phrase was heard:
"Will we fight for a dying crown?
Or will we kneel to the rising sun?"
The Final Words of the Emperor
In his private chamber, Emperor Lucius Auren stood alone.
He stared at the last painting made of Kaelen —
the boy he once called a nuisance.
Now?
He whispered the words only the shadows heard:
"Forgive us…
We thought you were small.
We thought you were nothing."
"Now we see the truth.
You are the end of empires."