Lenton and Samris

Far to the east of the central imperial metropole of Cruex, atop a mountain that dwarfed its quickly vanishing neighbors, stood a small hut.

Made entirely of compressed rock and stone, its simple appearance would have caused any imperial who sighted it to immediately grow suspicious. For even a small child knew it was impossible to build anything within the Crags of Caldara.

As far as the eye could see, in every direction, the land heaved like raging rapids in a quickly flowing river. Mountains fell beneath the surface only to be replaced moments later by a new rocky monument of Madra’s splendor.

Amidst the seething ocean of flowing soil, only this single mountain remained firm. The small hut upon its peak the only sign that civilization existed on this world at all.

Within its simple walls, two men sat in plush chairs sipping tea. One was old and wizened, white hair cascaded down his back and chin. The deep wrinkles and crag-like crevices of his ancient facade telling their own stories of lessons learned and endless battles won.

The other was a young man, not yet in his middle years. He was lean and tall, corded muscles showing at his neck and wrists. Golden eyes peered through deep black hair as they beheld the book in his hand. He idly twirled the immaculately trimmed black mustache above his lips.

The young man set down his book and took another sip of tea. His piercing eyes drilled into those of his lifelong mentor and friend before he spoke.

“How do you think he’s doing?”

The old man breathed deeply before letting out a long, groaning sigh. His rolled eyes, a further indication of his lack of enthusiasm to repeat the conversation for the dozenth time.

“Samris, he’s fine. Why don’t you stop pouring over his notes and go practice? I brought you out here so you could learn to control your gate in peace, not to constantly disrupt mine!”

“Master, how can I not be concerned? He’s surrounded by snakes in the grass without a stick.”

“You’ve got it backward Samris, it's the snakes who are without a tongue to spot the mongoose in their midsts,” The old man laughed at his own joke before continuing.

“If you’re so worried about him, then finish your training so we may quit this place.”

“I am trying, you know. His notes about causality and dimensions make no sense. He clearly doesn’t understand the fundamental workings of the gates any more than we do,” He threw his hands in the air in a rare sign of frustration.

“How he managed to control his gate without a clear grasp of its functions escapes me,” Samris ran out of steam as he finished, deflating into his chair.

Lenton sighed again, not hearing anything new in the young man’s words.

“Samris, we don’t understand anything about anything. If there is one thing Jiran has made abundantly clear to us, it's that this world is more of a mystery than we ever imagined.

“You can use all your skills and techniques without fully understanding them, the gate is no different. Let go of your thoughts and feel your way through it.”

“Master, this is nothing like a skill. I cannot just pour more mana into it until it works,” Samris’s eyes widened and his pupils contracted as a realization struck him.

Lenton felt the young man’s mana dip precipitously as it was funneled into the universe beyond his gate. A smile crept across his aged face as his own gate fluctuated in response.

He whispered to himself, quietly enough not to disturb Samris’s concentration.

“I can’t believe the boy actually figured it out. Am I happy or sad that the answer just led to more questions?”

“Truly, the empire is not prepared for the storm that boy will bring.”

Jiran’s Perspective

Jiran was distracted by the red density clawing its way through his body, reinforcing his existence. By the time he saw a miniscule flicker of movement in the distance, it was far too late.

A mountain of a man appeared beneath him. His aura cut through Jiran’s like a hot knife. His aura ceased to function and gravity's cruel arms grasped his density-enhanced weight.

As he plummeted to the ground fifty meters below, Jiran’s concern morphed into dread. He recognized the monstrous muscles that adorned his new foe. The orbs of black death that popped in and out of existence around the man had been the fuel for many nightmares in the year since he had last laid eyes on this emperor.

The natural density in the air fluctuated wildly as Dominus’s existence pressured the surrounding reality. Jiran felt his teeth vibrate as the air split and reformed constantly by the small black fissures. He recognized them for what they were; gateways that led into the unknown.

The moment he crashed into the soft ground, Jiran knelt in supplication. Relief had already replaced dread while he fell. If the disaster known as Dominus the Devourer had wanted him harmed, he would never have known it as he simply ceased to exist.

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Jiran’s world solidified into normalcy the moment his knees and fists touched the ground as the protection of the emperor’s aura surrounded him.

“Rise,” His voice was as deep and menacing as his appearance.

Jiran stood. When his gaze climbed, he spied Olive hiding in her father’s shadow. She still wore her academy uniform, giving Jiran the impression she came directly from The Garden.

A pregnant silence descended on the trio as they all stood waiting. Jiran suddenly realized he was supposed to greet the man after being given permission to rise.

Stuipd formalities! What was I supposed to say?

“My Emperor!” Jiran shouted with a crisp military salute.

Olive snickered from behind the man, a hand over her mouth hiding her grin.

Zip it, Peanut Gallery Princess!

The scathing glance Jiran directed toward the girl only made her giggle harder.

Dominus’s short brown hair swayed gently as he shook his head. His wide jaw and equally large mouth turned up in a small grin as he regarded the audacious boy before him.

“A commendable performance, disposing of those lost to the wilds is usually not such an easy task. The inquisitors will be delighted to know who cleaned up their mess, I’m sure.”

Why do I get the feeling he’s about to make more trouble for me? Am I supposed to respond to that?

“Thanks?”

Dominus’s laughter suddenly boomed out causing the entire valley to shake ominously.

“The cheek on this one, no wonder you’re so smitten with him, daughter.”

Olive’s cheeks flamed as she gave Dominus a wide-mouthed look of betrayal.

“Father, please. Why are you trying to embarrass me? I thought you had something important to say?” Jiran was impressed with how quickly Olive recovered.

He felt a tinge of envy at her ability to cope with the seemingly omnipotent being’s antics.

“Right you are, Oliviala,” The fond and gentle smile he directed at his daughter vanished as he resumed pinning Jiran with his bright blue eyes.

The same feeling from a year ago spread through Jiran’s body. It felt like the emperor was shuffling through the pages of his very existence, reading every detail as if Jiran’s thoughts and actions were no more than cliff notes.

“Before my proposal, I want to reiterate my thanks, Jiran.

“That man you just killed served the empire dutifully for years. He single handedly halted several graymin advances. He was a hero, a valiant defender of the people.

“Like many who pass through the yoke of the fifth Tier, the stresses of the world were too much for him. I had hoped his decline would be halted and that today's outcome was not yet a necessity,” A brief look of anguish flashed across his eyes.

“It pains me to put down those who have loyally served the people. My inquisitors are tasked with shepherding them to lands infested with beasts in an effort to allow them to die proudly in one last service to the empire they dedicated their lives to.

“Thank you for shielding my hands from his blood this day,” He spoke the last with his eyes closed, as if his words were a prayer.

Jiran did nothing to stop the overwhelming pride that coursed through him at that moment. To be recognized and praised for his efforts was not a feeling he was accustomed to.

His fist collided with his chest in a crisp salute as a single tear rolled down his cheek. Not trusting his own voice, he nodded sharply.

This man is the very bedrock of the empire. To alleviate one of his impossibly heavy burdens is an honor. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to kill the very people who have spent a lifetime working for you.

After a long moment of silence, Dominus continued.

“Jiran, you might not realize it, but you really kicked a bringhol nest with your actions today. Every corner of the empire is going to be scrambling to extinguish the repercussions of your actions.

“I no longer feel it's safe, or appropriate, to let you run about making a mess of my home,” He fixed Jiran with a steely glare, made all the more potent by his size and overwhelming power.

“I’ll not force you, as I believe Oliviala would truly never forgive me if I did. However, I want you to come live in the palace for a while, until a new normal is established,” He finished with a nod that Jiran understood to mean he was given leave to speak.

Jiran’s response was immediate.

“I cannot. There are those I must protect, and I would be unable to do so from behind the walls of a palace,” His tone was firm, there would be no compromise on this.

Dominus’s gaze shifted to the distant hill where the three girls still rested. His head bobbed lightly up and down in understanding.

“Yes, a man must protect what is important to him. So be it, I’ll allow you to bring as many with you as you wish. Under my honor, they will be safe.

“Even the beastwoman will be welcome, I cannot imagine another place where she would be safer.”

He knows?! Of course he knows, his aura can probably spread across the entire city. I can’t believe I didn’t realize that. If he knew all along, why didn’t he take action?

The emperor continued speaking, not giving Jiran further time to consider the implications of the bomb he just dropped.

“However, I have an additional condition: if I am to be protecting others for you, there is something you must do for me.”

From me? What does he want from me? Does he want me to train his soldiers? I was already going to do that. Maybe he wants me to go fight the graymin again, I was going to do that too.

What could he possibly need from me that I wasn’t already planning?

This could be an easy win-win. Especially if he’s going to protect Mayalyn, it would be amazing to not have to fear for her safety while I’m at the academy.

Today’s events have proven that I’m not strong enough to protect those close to me. Just because I can take care of myself, doesn’t mean a damn thing if someone close to me is killed. Moving us all to the palace will give me time to grow stronger and to help Mayalyn grow stronger as well.

With a resolute nod, Jiran responded.

“What do you wish from me to ensure their protection?”

Dominus looked at Oliviala, a grin Jiran recognized spread across the giant man’s face. It was the same grin Jiran often wore before he teased someone in a way he knew would get under their skin.

Olive’s instincts warned her of the danger far too late. She only took a single step back before Dominus’s ‘condition’ was spoken aloud.

“Simple. Marry my daughter!”