" You were right Thomas. They would hold a council meeting without me ". A calm voice echoed as footsteps could be heard from the spatial gate.
" That voice. " Ragnar echoed
" No way !! " Lenora exclaimed in disbelief.
" It can't be " Amon said visibly stunned.
" After all these years " Sephira muttered in shock.
The room froze as the footstep became progressively louder and closer till a handsome-looking man stepped out, dressed in his usual white suit with a red cape bearing a star sigil trailing behind him.
A seven-foot man stepped out. He possessed long white hair that reached past his shoulders, facial features that seemed to be crafted by the divine, and a presence that filled the room.
He was a man who needed no introduction, the Emperor of the Astoria Empire, Emperor Altáir Von Astoria. The Conqueror of Stars.
" They couldn't have known you would make an appearance my liege. " His ever faithful butler, Thomas replied with a bow. A warm smile graced his aged features.
He continued walking for a while before
speaking again.
" Well, you are right Thomas. " He replied with a shrug. A golden throne formed behind him, floating a few meters above the ground.
Only after settling into his throne did he finally acknowledge the people in the room. His cold gaze moving from one person to the other before settling on the before settling on the blonde haired beauty.
" Sephira. " He intoned. Acknowledging the queen of the Elves.
" Good to see you again your majesty. " Sephira said with a light bow.
Altáir replied with a nod but before he could speak again, another person spoke first. The King of Eldoria.
" What are you doing here Emperor Altáir? " Solmire asked coldly.
" When have I ever needed to explain my presence Solmire, or has reaching Mid deity made you conceited, foolish maybe? " Altáir replied, as he leaned into his throne. Fist balled against the side of his face as he looked at the blonde-haired man, a bored look etched across his flawless features.
As he spoke, a hint of his golden mana rippled around him, pressuring the other powerful beings in the room. Reminding them of his immense power.
A hint of discomfort appeared on the faces of the respective Rulers and Solmire, the Emperor of Eldoria started sweating profusely as his head was about to be slammed into the table due to the pressure Emperor Altáir was exuding.
" We may both be in the realm of deities but don't ever make the mistake of thinking we're equals. This is your first and last warning " He intoned coldly.
Solmire could only clench his fist, obviously feeling humiliated but he kept his head low.
Before it could go any further, Sephira interjected hurriedly.
" I apologize on his behalf Emperor Altáir, but please do tell us why you've made an appearance after so long. "
" Haaa. Sure, war is coming and I would like to know how you intend to prepare.
Hopefully, you don't intend to claim the planet all for yourselves. Now that would be pretty foolish." He added, his gaze moving from one individual to the other before finally settling on the red-haired Dragon.
" It's an honour to meet you again, Conqueror of Stars. " Ragnar said with a bow. One could feel the respect oozing from his voice.
" And who might you be? " Altáir asked dryly.
Before Ragnar could reply, Thomas butted in.
" That's the Dragon you fought in the Silliac war front my liege. " He remarked.
" Ragnarion?, he was famous? " Altáir asked.
" Yes, my Liege. " The butler replied
" And you didn't tell me?, I almost killed him. " Altáir said. Admonishing the old man. At the same time revealing a scary fact to the council.
" You wouldn't have cared your highness. " Thomas said. A warm smile on his face.
" That's true. " He concluded dryly. Then he turned his gaze back to the audience he had unintentionally ignored previously then he sighed.
" Honestly, I don't really care what you plan to do about this whole situation. But I'd like to give you all a piece of advice.
The planet is origin grade and it might as well have spawned in our house. It would attract all kinds of pests nearby and even far away. If you know what I mean. "
" You mean beings from other galaxies and universes? " Amon remarked. Already grasping what he was trying to say.
Altáir replied with a nod. Before speaking again.
" Auron will always have a special place in my heart but I will not protect it alone while you all sit on your hands.
So here's what's going to happen, assemble your forces and protect the planet. Only when the planet's protection is without holes can you go after what you truly desire. He concluded.
Only after making sure each of them understood did he get up. He turned around and started walking away as his throne dissipated into golden particles. Thomas followed quietly behind him.
" Bottom line is, don't do anything foolish. And don't die. Because I'll always protect mine before any other….Always " He said coldly.
As he was about to walk through the spatial gate a certain Spirit King's words stopped him in his tracks.
" Which visitors should we be expecting…. Altáir ?. Zephyron asked. His calm voice echoed through the room.
The room held it's breathe, as if time itself froze. Nobody expected the usually pragmatic Spirit King to be bold enough to address the Conqueror of Stars by name. Especially after making an example out of Solmire.
But the outburst they were wary of never came. Altáir only glanced back, giving the Spirit King a knowing look, and replied.
" Nobody likes spoilers Zephyron. He retorted. A playful smirk on his face that disappeared as soon as it appeared. Just expect the annoying ones." He remarked and started walking again.
" Oh and keep an eye out for one of mine would you? "
" Always " Zephyron replied with a nod which Altáir returned before stepping through the gate and disappearing with his butler.
As silence returned to the meeting room.