Chapter 16 – The Emperor's Call
Ashen Aras stood motionless in the courtyard, the cold morning air biting at his skin as he stared at the imperial envoy. The armored figure, a towering presence, emanated authority with every step. Beside him stood a small retinue of soldiers, their expressions unreadable beneath their helmets, but their hands rested on weapons that hinted at a readiness for combat.
His classmates, gathered in the courtyard as the envoy made his announcement, were buzzing with excitement. The elite imperial training program—the kind of opportunity that came once in a lifetime. Some of them were already whispering about the honor, the prestige, the power they would gain if chosen.
But Ashen felt none of that.
His eyes flicked to the parchment the envoy carried, the edges sealed in wax with the emblem of the empire's ruling house. When it was unrolled, the envoy's voice rang out clearly.
"The Emperor has chosen those worthy of the new secret training program. They will serve as the Empire's next generation of elite warriors, spies, and scholars. The list of names is as follows…"
He read through the names one by one, each followed by murmurs of surprise or excitement from the gathered students. None of them stood out to Ashen until—
"Ashen Aras."
His heart stopped.
The courtyard seemed to go silent, the air thick with anticipation. The names before his had been familiar, each belonging to students from prestigious families or known for their talents. But Ashen? The quiet, low-key student who never stood out?
The envoy's gaze shifted toward him, his eyes hidden beneath the visor but his voice carrying an unmistakable weight. "You are summoned by the Emperor."
Ashen's breath caught. He had been expecting a call, of course—though not this soon. And certainly not with such attention. The chaos energy that had been simmering within him twisted in his chest, and he fought to keep his expression neutral.
His classmates' gazes fell upon him, some surprised, others envious. Vale, the lean boy who had always seemed too interested in Ashen's actions, now narrowed his eyes, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary.
Ashen turned to face him, feeling an unspoken challenge in the air.
Vale said nothing, but the suspicion in his eyes was clear. If Vale thought something was off about Ashen, he wouldn't let it go easily.
"Prepare yourself," the envoy intoned, ignoring the murmurs now spreading among the students. "The training begins tomorrow. You will meet at the central hall at dawn."
The envoy turned, signaling his soldiers to follow as they began to leave. Ashen, still in a daze, slowly turned to leave the courtyard as well, but the heavy weight of the situation pressed against him.
His thoughts raced.
Why me? The Emperor's call was a direct consequence of something far greater than he could fathom. His connection to the dragon, the chaos energy, his growing abilities—all of it had drawn attention. But this? This was something different. This was no longer just about survival. This was the Empire itself setting its gaze upon him.
---
Later that night, Ashen sat in his room, trying to focus on his meditation. The chaos energy in his chest hummed gently, almost as if it were alive, reacting to his thoughts. He had tried reaching out to it earlier but found only fragments—echoes of what the monolith had shown him. No true power, not yet. But the path was slowly becoming clearer.
He reached out again, focusing on the egg's pulse within him.
Guide me, he thought. What does this mean?
But there was no answer—at least, not directly. The connection to the Stellar Chaos Dragon was still too weak, too fragmented. He couldn't expect it to give him clarity just yet. Not after so little time, and not with the chaos energy still so foreign to him.
He let out a slow breath, standing and walking toward the window. The lights of the academy flickered in the distance, and the night air was cold, carrying with it a sense of finality.
The imperial envoy's words echoed in his mind, a constant reminder that whatever lay ahead, he could not afford to remain the quiet, forgettable student. He was being thrust into the heart of something far bigger than he had ever imagined.
The Emperor's training program. A chance to rise higher… but at what cost?
---
The next morning came quickly, and Ashen was one of the first to arrive at the central hall. The building was massive, a symbol of the Empire's power and reach, with tall stone columns and intricate carvings on the walls depicting the Empire's long history of wars and conquests.
Inside, a small group of students had already gathered. Ashen recognized a few of them—some from his class, others from more prestigious families—but they all wore the same expression: uncertainty mixed with excitement.
He stood quietly off to the side, keeping his distance, when a soft voice came from behind.
"You're here early."
Ashen turned to find Vale standing there, arms crossed and a curious glint in his eyes.
"I like to be prepared," Ashen replied, keeping his tone neutral.
Vale studied him for a moment, then smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm sure you are. The Emperor doesn't call just anyone. There's something special about you, Ashen."
Ashen's gut tightened. "You're reading too much into things."
Vale raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. But I'm not the only one who thinks so." He glanced around at the other students, who were now starting to notice Ashen's presence. Their stares were harder to ignore now. There was an unmistakable aura of expectation in the air.
Ashen clenched his fists at his sides. This wasn't a game anymore. Vale's probing questions, the eyes that followed his every move—this was becoming more dangerous by the second.
Before he could respond, the doors to the hall opened, and a tall figure entered. The room fell silent as the man, dressed in black robes trimmed with gold, strode to the center.
"The time has come," he said, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "Welcome to the Emperor's elite program. From this day forth, you are no longer mere students. You are warriors, scholars, and agents of the Empire."
Ashen's heart pounded. This was it. The beginning of something he hadn't been prepared for. The dragon's call, the chaos energy… it was all leading here.
And there was no turning back now.
---
As the man spoke, the ground beneath Ashen's feet vibrated, a sudden, subtle tremor that rippled through the hall. He glanced around, but no one else seemed to notice. The sensation grew stronger, more intense, and then—without warning—the entire building shook.
A voice echoed through his mind, familiar yet distant: The time has come. Do not be afraid of the chaos.
Ashen's heart skipped a beat as the walls cracked and the light above flickered out. Something was coming—something far worse than he had imagined.
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