Several days passed after the Dragon Judgment Court vanished.
No skies shattered.
No worlds collided.
No mysterious beings challenged existence.
For once.
the Veyris Empire simply lived.
Night slowly arrived.
Countless stars stretched across the heavens while floating lanterns drifted through the sky like tiny galaxies.
Inside the Imperial Palace, the central gardens had transformed.
Crystal trees glowed with silver leaves.
Long tables floated above rivers of light.
Music from celestial instruments echoed softly throughout the Empire.
Kael Veyris stood at the center of it all.
Tonight was not a meeting.
Not a battle.
Not training.
Tonight was a family gathering.
Around him gathered many of his wives:
Ignisia
Umbryssia
Zarythia Drakenveil
Lilith
Nyx
Abyssia
Sanguinara Dracoryx
Along with Seraphina, Aetheria, Cosmyra, Eternya, Yunara, Kitsune Reina, Shiori Amateru, Ayakari, Tsukiyora, Elowen, Genesisra, Oblivira, Infinitra, Nullara, Ignivar, Valthera, Elysia, Lycanthra, Korynthia, and the Eldritch Chaos Sovereign.
For once.
there was no tension.
Only laughter.
Ignisia folded her arms.
You know, Kael still has unfair swordsmanship.
Umbryssia smirked.
You're still upset.
Ignisia pointed immediately.
I am not upset.
I am discussing facts.
Nearby, Lilith quietly smiled.
You've been discussing those facts for three days.
Nyx looked toward Kael.
She counted.
Ignisia stared.
Traitors.
Laughter spread around the table.
Kael sat quietly watching everyone.
For a moment.
he simply listened.
The conversations.
The joking.
The voices.
Long ago.
there had only been silence around him.
Endless battles.
Endless responsibilities.
Now.
there was this.
Genesisra noticed him staring.
You're quiet tonight.
Kael looked around at everyone.
Then answered simply.
I'm listening.
Aetheria smiled softly.
To what?
Kael looked toward his family.
Home.
Silence.
A warm one.
Even Ignisia stopped talking.
Even Wukong stopped eating for nearly two whole seconds.
Then Wukong dramatically pointed.
Sun Wukong shouted:
HE SAID SOMETHING EMOTIONAL!
WRITE THAT DOWN!
Instant chaos.
Elyrion immediately opened her floating book.
Kaelignis jumped up dramatically.
Lyra nearly fell out of her chair laughing.
Veyloria blinked.
...Dad has emotional dialogue?
Seralyth looked shocked.
That's a hidden ability?!
Everyone laughed again.
Nearby, Umbryssia leaned against Kael's shoulder.
Ignisia sat beside him smiling quietly.
Lilith rested near him with folded arms but a softer expression than usual.
Zarythia looked toward the stars.
Nyx watched the glowing sky.
Abyssia simply closed her eyes and listened to everyone.
No wars.
No enemies.
No judgment.
No collapsing realities.
Only stars.
Only family.
Only the Empire.
And somewhere far beyond existence.
even the mysterious Watcher looked toward the Veyris Empire and spoke quietly:
Interesting...
The strongest force here was never power.
It was the people beside him.