For once
the Veyris Empire had no invading realms.
No strange beings from beyond reality.
No skies writing mysterious messages.
No collapsing timelines.
Just peace.
Actual peace.
Inside the Imperial Palace, Kael Veyris stood near a balcony looking over the Empire.
Floating cities glowed beneath endless stars while crystal rivers crossed the heavens.
Behind him.
footsteps approached.
Ignisia walked into the room.
She wore an elegant blue dress that flowed softly like living flame beneath moonlight.
Her dragon horns curved upward gracefully while her black-red spear rested against a nearby wall.
She folded her arms.
You spend too much time handling problems.
Kael looked at her.
There were no problems today.
Ignisia narrowed her eyes.
Exactly.
So you're coming with me.
Silence.
Kael blinked once.
Coming where?
Ignisia smiled.
A date.
Far outside the room.
small heads immediately appeared around the doorway.
Kaelignis Veyris
Lyra's Kaelry
Elyrion Veythera
Veyloria Kaelthera
Kaelignis whispered dramatically:
DATE MISSION DETECTED.
Elyrion opened her book.
Observation project beginning.
Veyloria sighed.
...Again.
Later that evening.
Kael and Ignisia walked through the Starfall District of the Empire.
The streets floated above rivers of starlight.
Crystal lanterns hung from trees.
Music drifted softly through the air.
People smiled and walked through the night market.
Ignisia looked around.
No battles.
No armies.
No gods trying to fight you.
Strange.
Kael nodded.
Very strange.
Ignisia laughed.
They continued walking.
They passed glowing food stands and floating gardens.
A nearby stand sold Solar Flame Skewers while another sold Galaxy Moon Cakes.
Ignisia pointed immediately.
We're getting food.
Kael looked at her.
That wasn't a question.
Ignisia smiled proudly.
Correct.
Minutes later.
they sat near a floating lake.
Golden lights reflected across the water.
Small celestial fish swam beneath the surface.
The entire place felt quiet.
Ignisia looked at the stars.
Then after a while she spoke.
Do you know something?
Kael looked toward her.
What?
Her voice became softer.
Everyone sees the strongest being.
The Emperor.
The impossible person.
She looked toward the lake.
But I see Kael.
Silence.
The wind moved gently around them.
Ignisia smiled slightly.
And I like that version.
Kael looked at her quietly.
Then he placed his hand over hers.
I'm still the same person.
Ignisia looked back at him.
Good.
Because my flames burned for you alone.
My heat belongs to you forever.
For a moment.
everything became still.
No cosmic disturbances.
No reality shifts.
Just two people sitting beneath stars.
Then suddenly.
from behind nearby crystal bushes.
KAELIGNIS:
MOM! DAD!
WE FOUND YOU!
Absolute silence.
The daughters came running out.
Behind them.
Sun Wukong was laughing so hard he was holding his stomach.
HAHAHA!
THEY FOUND THE DATE!
Ignisia slowly closed her eyes.
Dragon flames quietly started appearing around her shoulders.
Run.
Kaelignis screamed:
RETREAT!
Everyone ran.
Wukong laughed all the way into the sky.
Above the Empire, stars continued shining peacefully.
And for one night.
the greatest challenge in existence wasn't war.
It was getting five children to stop spying.