For a billion years, the Golden Lion Empire had lived in peace.Peace not born of weakness or treaties, but of overwhelming might and divine unity. For a billion years, the Immortal Race, shaped by the hand of the Observer himself, had known the luxury of leisure, festivals, and games. They tended to their sprawling mothership-world, transformed entire planets into cities that floated like stars, and filled their days with laughter, creation, and celebration.
But even the Immortals could not anticipate the hand of fate.
It began as a tremor a ripple not of space or time, but of existence itself. Across every ship, garden, and citadel, the very fabric of reality quivered. To mortals, such a shift would be imperceptible, but to the Immortal Race, it was as if the universe itself had drawn a sharp, shuddering breath.
And then came the fracture.
Without warning, their universe the galaxies they had conquered, the constellations they had memorized, the civilizations they had defeated and shattered around them. Light bent, stars cracked like glass, and the vast familiar cosmos was torn away. The entire Golden Lion Empire, with all its quadrillions of citizens, its fleets and legions, its forges and academies, was wrenched from its home and hurled into a new sea of creation.
When the silence lifted, they found themselves adrift in a universe grander than their own.
This new realm stretched infinitely. The stars blazed with alien fire, galaxies clustered so densely they seemed woven together, rivers of light threading the endless void. The Immortals, who had once believed themselves masters of all they surveyed, now stood before a horizon that made even them feel small.
At the heart of this arrival was the Main Mothership an eight-hundred-thousand-kilometer behemoth, a planetary titan reforged into steel, magic, and living technology. Within its embrace slept nine hundred smaller motherships, each fifty kilometers long, docked and silent. They stirred now, their Ena cores flickering like the first breaths of giants roused from slumber.
In the Imperial Throne Hall, Emperor Theodore Lionheart opened his eyes. Calm, kind, and wise, his gaze burned with the clarity of a sovereign who had carried the Immortal Race through prosperity and war alike. Reports streamed into his mind as his senses expanded outward. With a single thought, he commanded a scan of the surrounding cosmos. Ena-pulses rippled from the Main Mothership, sweeping light-years in every direction.
The results came swiftly. To the galactic west, vast mineral-rich regions bore the signature of the Dwarven Civilization master forgers and builders, whose star-mines glittered like jewels across clusters of suns. To the east, shadows reigned. A darkness drenched the void, pulsing with hunger. The Vampire Civilization, known for their ruthless thirst and predatory fleets, occupied that expanse.
Theodore leaned back against the colossal throne, carved of black-gold celestial stone. His hand brushed against the pommel of his Dark Celestial Sword, resting by his side. He did not frown, nor did his breathing quicken. Instead, his aura radiated steady calm the stillness of a mountain before a storm.
"So," he said, his voice deep, steady, carrying across the silent hall. "We awaken at the edge of rivals."
And with that, his order resonated through every corridor of the mothership:
Prepare for battle.
The nine hundred motherships docked within the Main World-Ship stirred. Cores ignited, lighting the void in hues of gold and crimson. Defense grids shimmered into existence, cannons unfolded like the wings of predatory beasts, and shields roared with celestial power. Across barracks and command decks, legions of Immortals stirred from leisure into readiness, their laughter quieting, their eyes sharpening.
For though peace had lasted an eternity, the Immortal Race had never forgotten war.
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The Throne Room
The Imperial Throne Room was unlike any other chamber in existence. Stretching for kilometers, its walls were inlaid with luminous star-crystal, casting constellations across black-gold floors. Above, a ceiling of shifting cosmic glass displayed the universe beyond, galaxies turning slowly, as if the heavens themselves bent to the Emperor's will.
At its heart stood the throne: vast, carved from Eternal Steel, lined with Void-crystal veins that pulsed in harmony with Theodore's aura. Beside him sat his two empresses:
Rufia Lionheart, young and radiant, eyes glowing with Chronos itself — the sovereign of time, her presence warm and innocent, yet burdened with the weight of eternity.
Selene Lionheart, tall and regal, her aura of force and elegance filling the hall with quiet power. Her beauty was motherly, her devotion unshakable, her calmness steady as the void itself.
Behind them, two concubines stood as guardians.
Eteria Ethereal Lionheart, sentinel and sovereign of ice, her knightly aura a fortress of loyalty and discipline.
Alice Lionheart, the shadow of the Emperor, absolute of night, her gaze sharp as a sniper's barrel, silent and watchful, a dagger in the dark.
Flanking the throne were figures of absolute loyalty the Royal Sentinel Aegis, unyielding protector of the Empire, and the Head Maid Alice, calm and deadly, who embodied both service and sovereignty.
On the Emperor's left stood the pillars of wisdom and creation.
Eldan Thorne, Headmaster of the Academy, eyes gleaming with the light of the Omnisage.
Tia Ruzz, Head Librarian, floating lazily with her Cosmic Book in hand, her smile faint but her knowledge vast.
Yulia Azkiel, Head Mechanic, poised with perfectionist grace.
Urio Azkiel, Head Blacksmith, his aura smelling faintly of forge-fire.
The Grand Councilors, robed in black and gold, embodiments of wealth, diplomacy, industry, and culture.
On the Emperor's right stood the pillars of war and faith.
Sol Invictus Starfall, the Grand Warmaster, towering, strict, yet with the warmth of a loyal uncle.
Mikael Luminus, the Holy Celestial Lord, calm, serious, halo burning faintly above his brow.
The Legion Generals, eight in number, each a pillar of conquest: the Golden Lion, Jade Dragon, Black Raven, Silver Wolf, Obsidian Tiger, Verdant Griffin, Crimson Phoenix, and Grey Mist Serpent.
At the fore stood the two Prime Ministers, Right and Left, facing one another across the vast chamber, their voices destined to weigh heavy in the meeting.
Every figure of power, every sovereign of knowledge and steel, every commander of faith and war all were gathered.
And at the center of it all sat Theodore Lionheart.
The silence that fell was not fragile. It was deep, heavy, like the stillness before creation itself.
Theodore's voice carried across the chamber without effort.
"We have been transported," he said. "By what force, I do not yet know. The universe we once knew lies behind us, broken or lost. Before us stretches a realm greater than any we have charted one whose scale may dwarf our might. Already, I sense neighbors: Dwarves to the west, Vampires to the east. Both civilizations strong, both known to us in legend and record, yet never encountered face to face until now."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across his empresses, his concubines, the generals, the councilors, and the ministers.
"Our peace has ended. Our vigilance begins anew."
The words fell like stone into a still pond. Around the chamber, Immortals straightened, their auras sharpening.
Selene, ever the calm motherly empress, was the first to speak. Her voice was soft, yet carried across the entire hall."Then our task is simple: we must anchor ourselves. Let us send envoys first, gauge the strength of these neighbors, and learn whether they are foes or allies. In this vast universe, isolation will be as dangerous as open war."
Rufia, bright-eyed, leaned forward with youthful energy."We must also secure our borders quickly. Chronos bends for me I can accelerate the preparations of our fleets, double our readiness in days instead of years. If danger comes, we will meet it not as prey, but as hunters."
From behind, Eteria Ethereal bowed her head, her icy aura chilling the hall."Your Majesty, allow me to lead reconnaissance fleets. My blades long for battle, but my discipline remains yours. If these Dwarves or Vampires show hostility, I will freeze their advance before it touches our home."
Alice Lionheart, silent until now, spoke with a cold edge."Do not trust shadows. The Vampires are predators. They will smile with blood on their teeth. If you give me leave, I will send my assassins first. Their generals will fall before they even know we breathe."
The Grand Warmaster Sol Invictus Starfall slammed his gauntleted hand to his chest, voice booming."Majesty, give me one word and I shall mobilize all eight legions. Our motherships are awake. Our dreadnoughts hunger for the stars. Peace has softened us long enough. If these neighbors bare their fangs, I will burn their galaxies into ash."
The Holy Celestial Lord Mikael Luminus countered, his tone measured."Strength alone is not wisdom. The Vampires may be treacherous, yes, but the Dwarves may yet be bargained with. Trade, culture, and faith may secure what war would destroy. If we open with violence, we risk being seen as aggressors by all who dwell in this vast cosmos."
The Prime Minister Right, Dmitri Vladimir, adjusted his dark coat, voice steady, professional."Resources must be calculated, Majesty. We cannot afford reckless expansion until we understand this universe's economy. Let us establish secure trade first. Then conquest will not drain us."
The Prime Minister Left, Henry Hart, spoke warmly, his devotion evident."But Majesty, above all, we must protect our people. Whatever path we take, let it be one that safeguards the quadrillions under your rule. If that means patience, I urge caution. If it means war, then let our banners rise."
On the Emperor's left, the Headmaster Eldan Thorne stroked his beard, thoughtful."This universe will have new knowledge. New magic, new sciences. Before war, let us send scholars. Knowledge may prove the greater weapon than armies."
Beside him, Tia Ruzz, the Librarian, smirked lazily."Or we could simply copy their libraries before they even notice. Less risk, more reading."
The Legion Generals spoke one by one Arthur Ashborne with fiery discipline, Hao Yue with rivalry burning in his eyes, Nebula Corvus with cold calculation, Helior Dravion with gruff humor, and the rest, each adding the weight of their legions' might or counsel.
Every voice filled the chamber, clashing, complementing, building into a storm of strategies.
When the last voice faded, Theodore raised his hand. The hall fell instantly silent.
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with the wisdom of a billion years."Your words are heard. Your loyalty is felt. This universe may dwarf the last, but we are the Golden Lion Empire. We are not prey, nor are we shadows. We are light, eternal and unyielding."
He rose from his throne, towering, his aura filling the hall like a rising sun."Here is my decree:
Our fleets awaken, but they will not yet march.
Reconnaissance will be dispatched led by Eteria and Alice.
Diplomats will be sent guided by Selene and the councilors.
Scholars will seek knowledge, engineers will study this universe's core laws.
And if war comes…" He drew the Dark Celestial Sword, its blade igniting with voidfire. "…then we shall remind this cosmos what it means to face lions."
The hall erupted, not in chaos, but in a single unified roar.
"Glory to the Golden Lion Empire!"
And so, in that vast throne room, under alien stars, the Golden Lion Empire began its first steps in a universe greater than their own.