CHAPTER 12: WELKIN
Nefari — Capital City of the Grelon Empire
The city of Nefari hovered above the clouds, its towers piercing the heavens like blades of silver. At its heart rose the tallest spire, where emerald and teal streaks of the aurora shimmered across the dusk sky. Skybridges coiled through the mist, alive with the clatter of armored boots.
Seven hosts of knights advanced toward the skyscraper, each bearing banners that whipped violently in the cold wind.
A red dragon curled around a golden torch, flames snapping against the sky—the standard of House Hubris. Its knights strode in golden armor, crimson cloaks streaming behind them.
Opposite them, silver plate gleamed beneath black cloaks—the host of House Mau, bearing the prowling panther beneath a silver crescent moon.
From another bridge came the bronze-clad warriors of House Inertia, their hammer-and-pillar sigil swaying with each step.
Lightning flickered faintly across the white cloaks of House Chagrin, the griffin standard raised high.
A hawk soared upon spirals of stitched wind across the white-and-gold banners of House Avarice.
The scarlet-armored warriors of House Ardour bore the blazing phoenix upon a radiant ark.
And finally, the silvered knights of House Gullet, pale blue cloaks trailing like frost, carried the dire wolf upon its glacier sigil.
One by one, the processions halted before the skyscraper's gilded entrance. Litters lowered, carpets unfurled, and the nobility of the Empire descended to face one another beneath the gleaming arch of the Acme's home.
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Patriarch Asad Hubris was the first to break the silence. He swung down from his litter, boots striking the carpet with a heavy thud. His square jaw flexed as he stretched his broad shoulders, beard bristling in the cold wind.
"His Divinity lives well," he declared, voice booming. "Alone above the clouds, looking down on all of us… every man's dream."
"Mind your tongue, Asad." Patriarch Noa Inertia descended stiffly, one hand adjusting the fur mantle at his shoulder. His dark hair, tied loosely back, caught the light as his frown deepened. "This is not your Stout City. This is the capital. His Divinity's home."
Patriarch Asad Hubris' golden eyes narrowed with amusement. A hoarse chuckle rumbled from his chest.
"Recovered, have you, Noa? My son left you with a fine lesson."
Patriarch Noa Inertia's glare sharpened, but before he could retort, another voice cut the tension.
"Do not mind his crude manners." Matriarch Esme Ardour stepped lightly from her litter, the hem of her corset dress sweeping the carpet. Ribbon accents shifted as she adjusted the velvet choker at her throat, her gaze cold behind square glasses. "His Divinity has already taken note. Punishment will follow."
Patriarch Asad Hubris' smirk lingered, but a sharp laugh rang out across the bridge.
"I see why Ardour women have no men to warm their beds." Matriarch Miron Mau drifted forward in a black silk gown that shimmered with each step. Platinum strands slipped loose from her updo as her violet eyes gleamed with mockery. "Esme, you shouldn't meddle when men are talking."
A curl of smoke wound through the air as another figure approached. Matriarch Zara Avarice, draped in fur-lined sleeves, exhaled from her long pipe. Her lips curved in disdain.
"Every time I see you, Miron, my respect for the women of House Mau dwindles."
The nobles crossed the threshold into the skyscraper.
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A vast circular hall opened before them, marble columns soaring skyward, their capitals carved in spirals of gold. Reliefs and arches danced across the walls, glowing faintly beneath the pale light streaming from the domed glass ceiling above. Beyond the dome swirled clouds and mist, as though the chamber itself floated apart from the world.
At the center stood a circular dais. Seven ornate thrones, sharp-spired and gilded, loomed in a solemn semi-circle around a stone table.
The nobles advanced—then froze.
Two colossal knights flanked the dais. Their very presence crushed the breath from every chest.
On the left: a figure in jagged black armor. A massive spear pulsed like a shard of the abyss, its void-like body swallowing light. The air trembled with deathly silence.
On the right: a radiant knight woven of pure light. A crown of spikes shimmered upon its helm, and its spear blazed as if forged from the first dawn. Its aura pressed deep into their thoughts.
The nobles collapsed to their knees. Cloaks spread across the marble as foreheads touched the floor. Even the proudest among them could not resist.
Patriarch Asad Hubris forced his arms to brace against the floor, though his voice cracked.
"What… what are those things?" His golden eyes shook.
"His Divinity's Hue…" Matriarch Miron Mau's jeweled hand clutched her throat, sweat streaking her temple. "But the dark one—its Hue resonates with my stillness."
Matriarch Esme Ardour gasped for breath, glasses sliding down her nose as her nails scratched the marble.
"The other… it's probing my mind. Its Hue resonates with light—searching through my consciousness."
Then, without warning, both knights vanished. The oppressive force lifted, leaving the nobles sprawled in exhaustion on the marble floor.
For long moments, only ragged breaths echoed. One by one, they dragged themselves forward, rings scraping stone as they clawed toward the table. With effort, they pulled themselves into the towering thrones.
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Patriarch Noa Inertia was first to speak, voice rough.
"Matriarch Zara Avarice… your Avarice House hoards ancient documents. Do you know anything about those entities?"
Matriarch Zara Avarice steadied her hand as she lit her pipe, the smoke trembling in her exhale. Her sharp features twisted with worry, though her composure slowly returned.
"Cimmerian and Empyrean Knights," she said finally. "His Divinity's Etch Technique. They have not been seen in eons." She inhaled deeply before continuing, voice heavy. "If they stand guard here… it means a great enemy draws near."
Blood streaked the corner of Patriarch Asad Hubris's mouth. He wiped it with the back of his hand, letting out a ragged laugh that echoed beneath the dome.
"They were both status two… Stillness with a trace of His Divinity's Hue." His golden eyes gleamed madly.
Across from him, Matriarch Esme Ardour adjusted her glasses with trembling fingers, voice even but strained.
"My brother told me His Divinity's Etch Technique guards the Noble Houses."
Patriarch Noa Inertia leaned forward, knuckles white on the table's edge.
"If the Grand Marshal said so, then the resonance Matriarch Miron and Matriarch Esme felt is no surprise. These entities are tied to our bloodlines. House Ardour's Light stillness. House Mau's Dark stillness. If that is true—" his frown eased into a faint smile, "—then House Inertia must have an Earth stillness entity of its own."
Matriarch Esme Ardour's gaze swept the chamber, sharp once more.
"Then let us focus on why we are here. Matters above us belong to His Divinity. With Patriarch Gaston Gullet and Patriarch Kael Chagrin absent, we must postpone certain issues."
"Tch." Matriarch Miron Mau crossed her legs with a flick of her gown, violet eyes flashing.
"Esme, I heard your House Ardour is meddling in the conflict between House Chagrin and House Gullet."
Esme ignored the barb, her tone steely.
"The matter of Vex Bates cannot wait. We must tame him before any further steps."
The name shifted the room.
Patriarch Noa Inertia's jaw clenched.
"Recklessness will destroy us. Vex Bates is no ordinary man—he is a Chained General of the Shurur Empire, a status two Stillness. Equal to the Grand Marshal Cael Ardour. To face him head-on is folly."
Patriarch Asad Hubris slammed his fist against the stone table. The sound boomed across the chamber.
"He no longer serves as a Chained General. Our intelligence confirms it—he cast off the title. He rules the Antilla Islands as his own, though under Shurur's shadow."
Matriarch Esme Ardour's eyes sharpened.
"Vex Bates is the wealthiest man on Dyson. He values Equi above all else. The Antilla Islands are his home, not Shurur. We use that."
Matriarch Zara Avarice exhaled a slow plume of smoke, lips curling faintly.
"You underestimate him. The Karman Line—the very arteries of sea and sky trade—belong to his Complex plane. Provoke him, and our economy will bleed."
The table fell silent. Even Patriarch Asad Hubris's bravado faltered.
At last he muttered, worry edging his tone.
"Yet if we do nothing, Shurur gains. Vex Bates is very close to the Fallen Acme of Shurur. Every Equi he seizes feeds the Shurur Empire. And the Antilla's Zircon mines… If we act rashly, we may provoke the Fallen Acme of Shurur."
Matriarch Esme Ardour's voice softened but held resolve.
"The Fallen Acme of Shurur is not sentimental. He cannot afford recklessness. If he moves, His Divinity will shield us. What I propose—" her glasses caught the light, "—is invasion. Kill Vex Bates. Even a status two stillness cannot stand against two of our own: Patriarch Asad Hubris's son, Grand Master Liam Hubris, and my brother, Grand Marshal Cael Ardour. Together, they could end him. We also have our Code Black totems we can join the battle."
"Reckless!" Patriarch Noa Inertia snapped, slamming the armrest of his throne.
"You gamble with assumptions. Fallen Acmes do not play by the rules. Push too far, and we'll be slaughtered before His Divinity can intervene."
Matriarch Zara Avarice tapped ash from her pipe, her poise fully restored.
"I agree with Patriarch Noa Inertia. Proxy strategies are the wiser path. We must corner Vex Bates, not strike outright."
Matriarch Esme Ardour adjusted her glasses again, the motion sharp.
"Then we pit Shurur against Tarturus. Their duopoly over Zircon Crystals and Akilia must be broken."
"Akilia," Matriarch Zara Avarice corrected smoothly, her tone precise.
"It may be harder to mine, but unlike Zircon Crystals, it can be refined into countless densities. Zircon is rare luxury only big nations can afford. Akilia is a necessity as an external Hue source; its different qualities of refinement make it accessible at all levels of the market. The Tarturus Empire's hold is more dangerous than you think. We cannot focus solely on Shurur."
Matriarch Miron Mau scoffed, her voice edged with fervor.
"Then let us seize both! Shurur and Tarturus stole colonies that should have been ours. The Western Hemisphere's barren lands. We take them, the Akilia will be ours. We will save plenty of Equi that we spend annually to purchase countless barrels of ultra dense Akalia. Then we march to the Northern Hemisphere for Antilla's Zircon Crystals. If we take Antilla from Shurur, we will have the means to enhance the use of our Code black totems."
Her words rang, but silence followed until Patriarch Noa Inertia broke it with irritation.
"And when Tarturus's Fallen Acme comes? That half-crítten will act without restraint. His Divinity would be forced to confront him. In that moment—" his gaze swept the chamber, "—Shurur's Fallen Acme would slaughter us at his leisure. We cannot provoke two Fallen Acmes."
Matriarch Zara Avarice inhaled again, smoke curling as her eyes hardened.
"Miron envy is poison. Zircon and Akilia may outshine our Ract stones in efficiency and output, yes—but we already hold the strongest currency. Grelly is backed by Equiland and Crew County. Our reputation comes from our support of peace. If we stoop to open war, our backers will distance themselves from us. The Grelon Market will become unstable. And all the while, Tarturus and Shurur drag us into the abyss."
The chamber grew heavy with unease.
Finally, Matriarch Esme Ardour rose, steadying herself though her balance faltered. She straightened her gown and lifted her chin.
"Then it is decided. We will probe Shurur and Tarturus through our proxies. I will pass the resolution to the Eidolon Pantheon for final arrangements. When Patriarch Gaston Gullet and Patriarch Kael Chagrin recover, we reconvene for the matters left aside."
One by one, the nobles rose from their thrones.