The emperors spoke to each other at a speed Jiran couldn’t comprehend. Despite being forced to kneel while they conversed, he maintained enough strength to raise his head.
I knew they would want to talk to me again, but I didn’t think they would make their move so quickly. Hopefully, whatever stopped Mesalay from capturing me last time will work again. If not, all I can do is hope the crystals… No, there’s no way I can activate one in time. I guess I’m really at their mercy, but what other choice did I have? I had to come back and help. The empire is my home. My people are here… my friends. My party.
Jiran had seen Olive’s father once before, Dominus Le’Cruex the Devourer. He was every bit as impressive as Jiran’s memories. Inhumanly tall and layered with thick muscles that bunched beneath his imposing armor. With Mana Omnis active, an entirely new side of the emperor was revealed. Not only did his manapool shine like a blazing star, but a thick cord of his mana steadily flowed into his left shoulder where it vanished from sight. Jiran assumed it was some kind of permanent connection to his aura, possibly a more advanced version of an aspect.
The other emperor he recognized was Mesalay Fa’Skorahda the Typhoon. Her appearance and demeanor were unchanged from their meeting atop the mountain. She maintained an illusion superimposed over her actual body, masking her true beauty which was enough to give any sane man heart palpitations. Now that he knew what to look for, he found a similar cord of mana nestled inside her blindingly bright manapool. Since it was so short, he assumed her soul-tap must be inside her manapool just like Shaara’s.
Jiran forcefully brought his gaze to the regal, middle-aged man standing next to Dominus. He had neatly trimmed, wild black hair with a dash of silvery-white at the temples that perfectly coordinated with the intricate decorations of his fine suit and cape. His amber colored eyes shone with confidence that matched the radiance of his manapool; every bit a match for his peers despite his relatively mediocre appearance. Between the similarities in facial features with Samris, and having heard several tales of his exploits, Jiran immediately pegged him as Dagris Le’Fureitte the Demon King. Seeing the stark similarities between father and son, Jiran was hit with a pang of nostalgia for his first real mentor.
image [https://i.imgur.com/jD1sGiG.jpg]
They were still talking amongst themselves as Jiran observed the last two emperors whom he had heard so much about from Olive and Cameron. Jiran completely agreed with their assessment that any who laid eyes on these two would immediately understand they were on the brink of going wild. Mana Omnis revealed a deeper truth, one that would undoubtedly shock the empire to its core.
The elderly woman wrapped in shadows: Palolla Le’Sanctum the Radiant Night, was nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Her body and clothes were obscured by the darkness bubbling from her skin. Beneath that roiling layer was wrinkled, parched skin covered in pockmarks and lesions. The only visible characteristic was her white teeth which reflected the bright ambient light of the featureless white space they had dragged Jiran into.
Beneath it all, her mana coiled and twisted like a pit of snakes as it struggled to break free from her skin. Jiran instinctively understood that if a single one of those lashing tentacles escaped the confines of her body, she would turn into a ravenous beast capable of murdering them all. Luckily, her mana was severely drained compared to the first three emperors and appeared under her control, if barely. Shifting his gaze from the, 'Portent of doom,' that was her mana, he was drawn to her mouth as a too-wide-smile flashed into a vicious snarl before turning back into that same eerie smile.
With a shudder, he looked away from her toward the last emperor: Lorodarand Le’Sanctum Herald of the Voice. The old man was in every way the companion and antithesis of his wife. He hovered in the air, his legs crossed in a lotus position. His eyes were shut and he wore a peaceful expression that screamed serenity. Just as hair-raising as Empress Palolla’s shadows, dazzling rays of light occasionally emanated from his skin. Jiran could see worms of incredibly condensed power that slithered throughout the man's body, nibbling their way through the surface to release bursts of deadly energy into the air.
No wonder he’s keeping his distance from the others. He’s in even worse shape than Palo. If he loses focus for even a second, he’ll turn into a beast. These two are… terrifying. Of the five, it looks like they’re the only ones who manifested their aspects inside their bodies. I don’t know if it's related, but I’ll definitely not be trying that any time soon.
Their rapid conversation came to a close and they faced him as one. At the same time, their auras retracted, allowing him to take a long-awaited, deep breath. Dagris spoke first, his voice smooth and calming, “Jiran of Feylon, you may rise.” Jiran followed the command, not daring to speak with the incredible pressure poised around him, a mere moment from resuming its crushing force, “We thank you for returning to partake in the coming… festivities.”
Jiran didn’t miss the annoyed glare sent his way by Mesalay’s true self, though her illusion remained completely unresponsive. Her true eyes boring into him was so intense it caused the hairs on his arms to stiffen.
Why is she upset with me for something Dagris said? And what the hell did he mean by festivities? I need to read between the lines, they’ve obviously slowed themselves down for me, so everything they say and do has meaning. But what?
Turning to Palo and Loro, Dagris continued, his pause clearly meant to give Jiran time to consider his words, “Since the betrothed has received his introduction, please go relax while we administer the boring details. I would like to thank you both in advance for agreeing to anoint him at the celebration of their union. May the Voice guide our steps as it does our hearts.”
Palo’s creepy smile morphed to an enraged scowl and back again between each word as she responded in a crackling whisper, “Yes yes yes we we we shall shall shall leave leave leave it it it to to to you you you. Come come come dear dear dear let let let us us us relax relax relax until until until the the the celebration celebration celebration begins begins begins.” She turned and floated away, her feet just above the cloudy floor, and thankfully, the perfectly still Loro followed behind her in his lotus position.
Oh, fuck she’s so far gone. Clearly, everything being said was for those two. Once they’re gone, the real conversation will probably begin.
After moving a short distance, Palo and Loro vanished from sight. Dagris, Dominus, and Mesalay’s auras combined to block sound and sight, wrapping them in a bubble of darkness. Dominus remained at the edge of the sphere, peering outward while Mesalay and Dagris confronted Jiran directly.
Dagris once more took the lead in the conversation, “Please, accept our apologies. I’m sure you can understand the necessity of handling those two with a delicate touch.”
“No apologies are needed, my emperors. I understand completely.” Since Dagris’s tone and words became less formal, Jiran responded despite not being asked a direct question.
Mesalay suddenly appeared right before him, “Cut the formalities you little shitstain!” Her hands lashed out and grabbed the collar of his armor, hoisting him into the air with laughable ease. Her breath brushed across his face as she growled, “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out when you ditched my precious daughter? Did you think my command was a joke? I told you to receive her and treat her well but you ran away like a little bitch! She actually cried! I fucking hate it when I have to watch her cry!”
Jiran blanched, completely helpless under the verbal onslaught. If not for foresight remaining at the same consistent static buzz from the last two days, he would have panicked, “W-what?! What daughter? What are you talking about?” Having no idea what was happening and certainly not being able to fight back against such an overwhelming force, Jiran could only hang limply as both sets of her eyes scoured his expression for the truth.
After what felt like an eternity, she dropped him and dusted off his shoulders with the kind, caring smile of a doting mother, “My mistake,” She said in a sickly sweet voice while patting his cheek, “you treat her well from now on. She's my last child and she doesn't have a single real friend. If you can promise me that, I'll forget all about this, m'kay? Can you do that for me?”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Uhh, f-forget about what?” Jiran stammered.
“You’re such a good boy. Okay Dommy, he's all yours.”
Dominus didn’t turn around, still facing the direction Palo and Loro had left from, “Huh? That’s it? You sure you don’t want to say anything else?”
“Unlike you, I never formed attachments. Knowing he’ll look after her is enough.”
Uhh, why do I have such a bad feeling about the direction of this conversation all of a sudden?
With a weary sigh that rumbled from his deep chest, Dominus finally turned to face Jiran, piercing him with his brightly glowing cerulean eyes. “Oliviala’s sister, Malaniea will be arriving at the People's Cavern shortly. Promise me you’ll get both my daughters out along with as many citizens as you can save. If you can do that, then I don’t mind giving them both to you.”
“Huh?!” Jiran blurted, decorum forgotten as his brain failed to keep up with the rapidly evolving conversation, “Wait, don’t tell me you were serious about that betrothed thing?!”
Emperor Dominus Le’Cruex
- Previously -
- Emperor’s Palace, Imperial Capital of Cruex -
As I was saying before we were interrupted. I have a proposition for you, and for the leader of your party.” Dominus watched Olive’s expressions carefully, his aura, just shy of touching her skin, revealed her apprehension.
She’s truly guarded when it comes to the boy’s secrets, and that's fine with me. The fewer who know, the better. Even so, we should not throw away a perfectly good opportunity to tie ourselves to him. I can only hope it’s what she wants. She’s never shown interest in a boy before and she’s both young and inexperienced with her feelings. I must approach the subject carefully.
“There’s no need to scowl at me, my little love. In our last conversation, you made your stance on revealing his secrets quite clear. I didn’t summon you here to pry. There are three things that we must discuss and each revolves around Jiran of Feylon, and his impact on the empire at large.” Olive clenched her teeth stubbornly, though her eyes closed in thought so at least he knew she was considering his words.
Dominus gave her time to process before continuing, “First, there are factions within the Church of the Voice that are beginning to move. So long as Dagris, Mesalay, and myself live, they will never achieve their ambitions but that will not stop them from targeting those who pose a threat to their plans. If he is not already, Jiran will soon be at the top of their list.”
Olive nodded, well aware of how dangerous Jiran was to the teachings of the church, but it sounded like there was even more to it than she realized. She didn’t have to wait long before Dominus continued, “It seems like every time that boy breathes, he further pierces the veil obscuring the truth of mana. Spotting, protecting, and nurturing talents like him is the only reason the empire has lasted two thousand years. But not everyone is satisfied to let the status quo be disrupted so thoroughly. As they say, if you cannot control the river, it is best to build a dam.”
Olive's muscles flexed, her aura writhing against his as her anger manifested. Dominus had to fight the urge to grin. After all, manip-guiding one's own children was often a pleasurable task.
Capitalizing on her frustration, he brought up the final and most important point, “Whatever the Graymin are up to is not the greatest threat we will face. There is another, and it is far more deadly. The end of the empire is coming, it is unavoidable. Or so we thought. Not only did Jiran leave the confines of the empire, but he brought back an entirely new race and then left again. Oliviala, he can save us.”
“You’re talking about the Enders,” Olive sighed, her anger evaporating into melancholy.
How?! Of course, the temple was breached. Was my own daughter involved in that massacre? Those fanatics had long since infiltrated that place. If she was responsible for cleansing them, then she’s done me a favor.
“That’s right. The Ender’s purge is coming and we’ve no intention of facing them head on now that another route has been revealed.”
Olive’s eyes turned cold, brimming with challenge and confidence, “Then you better leave Jiran be. Only he controls the path out of the empire. If you try to kidnap or force him to do your bidding, it will backfire. He’s not one to be pushed around.”
“Indeed. We’ve taken his measure and arrived at the same conclusion. Regardless, Jiran must be protected and nurtured and the citizens must have an avenue of escape. No matter how I look at it, he will play a pivotal role in ensuring the survival of our people. So the question becomes: How can we expect him to willingly play his part in this game of life and death?”
“I-I don’t know,” Olive denied understanding, but the blush creeping across her cheeks revealed the lie for what it was.
Of course she knows the way after Empress Mesalay made her move so quickly. That sly demoness, sending Vironia the Lonely Flower to capture the boy’s heart before revealing his true value to the rest of us. Well, I’ve got two single daughters and what man could resist that?! We’ll see who comes out ahead in the end!
The longer he remained silent, the more Olive squirmed in embarrassment. Dominus smirked, highly amused by his shy little girl’s flustered expression, “It’s simple, if he were not a mere piece on the board, but actually owned the board, would he not be more invested in playing his part? So, what will you do, daughter? Will you grant him ownership of the board, or leave it to another?”
As if only just now struck by the thought, Dominus dropped a fist into his opposing palm while making an exaggerated gasp, “I know! Weren't you just saying how worried you are about your sister? Maybe she would be interested. Who knows, this could be just the thing to uplift her spirits…”
“Father! How can you be so shameless!”
Jiran of Madra
“Of course he was serious! Why? Is there a problem with marrying our daughters? Are they not good enough for you?” Dominus was suddenly towering above Jiran, the anger leaking into his aura causing holes leading to the void to spring into existence.
“Yes, there’s a problem!” Jiran answered straightforwardly without flinching, “I don’t believe I’ll be able to make them happy as my heart is wholly devoted to another. Also, forming blood ties between the empire and me is pointless. The empire is my home, I’ll protect it with everything I have without any urging from anyone.”
Jiran was heaving for breath after his short tirade but since nobody else was talking, he barreled right through to his next point, “Also, why are you talking like this is your last will? Are you seriously thinking you can’t beat that king? Because that’s a load of shrelkshit! None of you are going to die and our citizens don’t have any reason to flee.”
Dagris appeared at his side, his heavy hand landing on Jiran’s shoulder, “We appreciate your sentiments and we can put off the matter of marriage for now, but I’m not sure you can grasp what it means to fight up a tier at our level. We’ve encountered one of these kings before when there were five of us. Now that Palo and Loro are more likely to become a hindrance than contribute, we must make the wisest decision possible. But the King isn’t why this battle is truly hopeless. It’s the five tier tens and ninety-three tier nines accompanying it that we have no way of countering. Not to mention nearly a thousand tier eights. No, it would be in everyone's best interest if you fulfill the role of a good son-in-law and listen to our final wishes.”
Jiran shook his head, so exasperated by the one-sided conversation he felt like laughing and crying at the same time, “I’ve only ever fought higher-tier beasts and I sure as hell don’t beat them by giving up before the fight even starts! Sure there are a lot of them but we aren’t helpless, we can find a way if we work together!”
Dominus grunted, stepping back and sitting on the air, “I like that look in your eyes, boy. Standing up to us like this, I’m beginning to understand what Oliviala sees in you. You’ve managed some amazing feats for one so young and there can be no doubt that you have incredible talent, which is part of why we’re bringing you into the fold to begin with. Sometimes, it's best to listen to your elders. Don’t think I’ll keep being so lineint because my daughter fancies you.”
The warning in his tone was unmistakable and Dagris smoothly interceded, “Our most loyal and trusted subjects are already gathering at the teleportation platform. Since you are the only one who can operate it, it is our fervent desire that you assist our children in starting a new empire in another land. Even if we defeat the king with our final breath, and Palo and Loro maintain their sanity long enough to assist us, there are other threats on the horizon that are far beyond us.”
Is he talking about the Enders from the tablet in that temple? I… don’t really have an argument against that. Even a tier twelve was wiped out by the Enders without being able to put up a fight and I’m pretty sure the emperors are only tier eleven.
I can understand where they’re coming from. It’s certainly feasible, and sensible, to set up a colony in the Valley of Melodies. Am I really going to agree with this?
No way. There is absolutely no way I’m giving up before we even start the battle, and like hell I’ll let them give up either!
Jiran’s mana bubbled from his skin, pushing back against the pressure of their auras even as it infused his voice with power, “No!” He shook his head, meeting the slightly widened eyes of Dagris, Dominus, and Mesalay one at a time.