----------------------------------------
Chapter LXII : Emperor
Latemorn of Terminus, Fourteenth Day of Autumnmoon
----------------------------------------
Zhao Peng ruled as emperor of Koba for more than sixteen years. Many considered him wise and just, and he relied on prudent, informed decision making. Unlike other monarchies, Koba had a governing body known as the Grand Council, whose twenty-four members represented each of Koba’s provinces. Every six years, the Council voted to choose an emperor from one of five royal bloodlines. Zhao’s House Agriculture managed to earn a plurality of support for three consecutive terms, a rarity even for Koba’s long history.
The vote was both a matter of politics and practicality, since each of Koba’s royal houses were best suited for a particular area. House Agriculture supported farmers and landowners, protected natural resources, and controlled the production of food. The Grand Council elected Zhao following a ravenous blight on Koba’s rice crop, its primary domestic food source. Zhao responded by rationing remaining resources, destroying diseased plants, and staving off infection.
His successes granted him a second term. Shortly thereafter, Koba entered The War. Usually, the Council elected an emperor from House Protector, who specialized in resolving foreign conflicts. Instead, they agreed to retain Zhao due to his popularity. Even though Koba surrendered, the people believed Zhao’s clever negotiations saved them from a far worse fate.
Now, years later, the challenges of daily governance were more modest. Koba’s economy still hadn’t fully recovered, but it was stable, and unemployment finally reached less than ten percent. Koba’s citizens preferred weak economic conditions over the turbulence of war. On the plus side, farming returned to profitability, and the latest trade data looked optimistic.
Zhao read the reports over morning dim sum, as he sipped on rice tea and took bites out of steamed buns and dumplings. His doctor urged him to cut back on sweets, however, and he missed the golden egg tarts with drizzled honey. They were his favorite, but he was getting older, after all. His raven-black beard had gone ghost-white and now ran the full length of his body, touching the floor when he sat. Of course, he didn’t dare cut it. Growing lifelong beards was one of House Agriculture’s longstanding traditions.
He had just digested the last of his economic reports when his herald entered the dining hall unexpectedly. He turned his attention to the thin mustached man, who fell to his knees and bowed.
“Your Eminence, I bring urgent news.”
Zhao swept the crumbs from his beard and rose from the table. “Rise, and tell me your tidings.”
The herald looked almost tongue-tied. He worked his mouth, as if trying to find the right words. “Your Kenju Master has returned, My Lord, and he brings with him a … a ….” He lowered his head in shame. “A Gnostic Knight, Your Eminence.”
Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. “A what? He brought him here?”
He remembered ordering his Kenju Master to investigate reports of a Knight atop Mount Abakai, but he never expected Quon Nan would dare to escort one of Cromwell’s death-dealers directly into Koba’s stronghold. It sounded preposterous.
The herald bowed down even further. “Yes, Emperor. They are joined by Józef Brandt, Heir of Kitezh. He claims the Knight is part of his country’s emissary, which has come seeking aid.”
Zhao had known his herald long enough to know the man would never deceive him with a tasteless prank. A Gnostic Knight and Heir of Kitezh arriving together was more than just strange company. It was an omen.
“Send for my Kenju Master. And, please provide our deepest courtesies to the Heir and his guests, while I speak with Master Nan alone.”
The herald bowed again deeply and left. Zhao returned to his dim sum, though he was no longer hungry. He had an inkling in the back of his mind, and he tended to trust his instincts.
While he waited for his Kenju Master to arrive, he summoned his attendants and ordered them to clear his calendar for the day. He wanted to give the matter his full attention. Gnostic Knights hadn’t been welcome in Loulan Palace for quite some time, if ever. His Kenju Master had better have a good reason.
When Quon finally arrived, Zhao could read from his face that he had much to say. The emperor never left his chair and wasted no time with formalities. He spoke before Quon could drop to one knee.
“Leave the protocols for another time, Master Nan. You can imagine my impatience at hearing there’s a Gnostic at our gates. Alongside the Prince of Kitezh, no less! I presume you came prepared to tell me why?”
His warrior servant looked eager. “I have, Emperor, but I ask permission to be brief. I believe this news is best received straight from the source.”
Zhao shifted uncomfortably. “I’ll happily welcome a member of the Brandt family, but you’d be mistaken to think I care much for the words of a Gnostic Knight. You should have left him on the mountain.”
Quon bowed his head. “Forgive me, Eminence, but I believe you’ll change your mind, once you hear what Sir Morrison has to say.”
Zhao recognized the name. He had read reports a day earlier that this Knight had been sighted on wanted posters in multiple border towns and villages. There were other reports, too; including unconfirmed rumors that Rungholt had been attacked. Of course, they were only unconfirmed because Koba had lost contact with their scholars in the area. Certainly, the disparate pieces of information suggested something ominous.
“Then I must conclude, Master Nan, that you’d be willing to lay down your life to vouch for Sir Morrison’s good behavior. Otherwise, to allow a Gnostic Knight in the Emperor’s presence would be a shameful neglect of your duties.”
Zhao was merely testing his Kenju Master. He had known the Nan family for many years, ever since Wong Fei Nan had been his predecessor’s protector. When Wong Fei passed and Quon stepped into the role, Zhao became a kind of mentor. His two youngest sons died in battle, during The War, while his oldest son died of a heart disease three years later. With no more heirs, Zhao would have had to rely on next of kin. He had a nephew, but the boy was untrustworthy and immature. The only other option was to groom a successor from outside the bloodline. And to Zhao, Quon felt more like family than any blood relative.
Nevertheless, he needed to be careful. Koba’s emperor had political enemies, who would seize the opportunity to attack Zhao’s pupil for acting recklessly. Even the appearance of recklessness had consequences. To prepare Quon for these challenges, he needed to put his Kenju Master’s judgment under close examination.
Quon bowed deeply. “I would certainly lay down my life to defend my emperor. But in this case, I trust Sir Morrison fully. For he is not the Gnostic I was sent to investigate on Mount Abakai. Rather, I met a different man. One who turned his sword against me and my men and threatened us with rogue magic. Sir Morrison stood against Richard’s minions and protected us. Had he not been there, we could not have faced the horrors that Angkor unleashed.”
Zhao raised his brows, now quite interested in the full story. “Very well. I’ll arrange a place for us to conference. Please bring Sir Morrison and Prince Brandt to the Room of the Rising Sun.”
Quon bowed again. “Yes, Emperor. But if it pleases you, I’d like to request the invitation be extended to Miss Rosalyn Reynolds, a sorceress with a certain expertise required for our conversation.”
Zhao’s curiosity piqued at this new addition to the unlikely menagerie, and it seemed the Kenju Master hadn’t even finished. He looked like he wanted to add one more.
“Well, Master Nan? Is there another I should expect at this conference?”
The Kenju Master squirmed. “Yes, uh … a child, Your Eminence. The only survivor of a lost village of Ancient Gaians.”
Zhao Peng should have found it difficult to suspend disbelief. However, there was an inkling in his mind he couldn’t shake. It began when his herald first entered the room, and now it overwhelmed him with an inexplicable feeling of trust.
He knew, of course, it wasn’t mere instinct. It came from a very powerful spell. An enchantment, passed down through generations of Koban emperors. His predecessor, Xiao Ding, didn’t even need to utter a word. As soon as Zhao took the Oath of his kingdom, he knew all about his role as Sunstone Protector.
Before becoming emperor, protecting these relics sounded more like a ceremonial job—and a waste of time. But ever since the magic passed on to him, he felt the need to guard the sunstone with his life. Yet, he didn’t learn all this through a deluge of information. The enchantment didn’t work that way. It was mysterious, never providing context or reason. Just an overwhelming belief, residing so deep in the heart that he could not pinpoint the source. Nevertheless, whenever he questioned or doubted, it would pass on just enough knowledge to satisfy him. Similarly, when Quon mentioned a descendent of the Ancient Gaians, he somehow knew that he needed to see this child personally.
“Yes, I wish to speak to them all.”
Quon bowed and left the room. Zhao leaned back in his chair, expelling a deep breath in anticipation for what would come.
* * *
Zhao awaited his guests’ arrival in the Room of the Rising Sun, named for its east-facing view, overlooking the Great Ocean. Loulan Palace was built atop coastal cliffs at the edge of the city, high above the water, making it well protected and impossible to scale. A single bridge provided access, the only thing standing in the way of fierce waves, which beat against the rocky bluffs below.
A large window in the back overlooked the sea. After highsun, the incoming light was no longer blinding. Instead, it entered diffusely, scattered by the ocean waves. Plush cushions made of emerald green silk and golden embroidery provided seating. Zhao sat on one of these, wearing robes with a similar color scheme. The seal of House Agriculture was emblazoned on the chest, a stalk of rice. Five other cushions were arranged in a crescent for Zhao’s guests. Six of his staunchest palace guards stood along the room’s perimeter to bolster security, the minimum, given the proximity of a Gnostic Knight.
Quon had prepared his companions well for the manners and courtesies required in the presence of a Koban emperor. They entered humbly, bowed, and greeted him. When they were seated, he spoke, eager to get started.
“I welcome you, Friends of Koba. First, thanks are in order for your valor in defending our Kenju against Angkor’s brazen and unjustified attack. I have yet to hear the full story, but I understand you’ve earned our Kenju Master’s trust. I know this trust is not given lightly, so I am obliged to hear your tale. Please, tell me how you came to be on Mount Abakai that day.”
Józef and Bram took turns describing the events that led to their meeting. Their story was so fantastic that many might have dismissed it outright. However, Zhao knew in his heart that they spoke the truth. Especially, when it came to the terrible demons trapped inside the sunstones.
Józef concluded. “Emperor, it is for these reasons that we traveled to Koba, hoping to unite against a common enemy, as you had with my father. We can’t allow a third sunstone to fall into Angkor’s hands. Nor can we allow what happened to my country to happen to yours. Our best hope is an alliance. We wish to help you to defend your city, and in return, seek some of your forces to help liberate ours.”
Zhao considered what he had learned. Clearly, Angkor would not stop with just two sunstones. Yet, fending off an attack powered by the Ahrimen would be costly. None had ever managed to topple Koba’s fortress; but then again, none had ever arrived at its gates with the power of a sunstone.
“You have convinced me, Heir of Kitezh. I am of course saddened that your father isn’t here to take on this mantle, but I am pleased to see that he left his country in good hands. Indeed, I shall send word to our generals to bolster our defenses, and I’ll enlist every soldier and scholar in the city to stand guard. Gaia willing, we’ll fend off the attack and send reinforcements to Rungholt.”
Zhao turned to his attendant at the door and requested his generals get ready to receive him. When he finished, he noticed the Gnostic Knight appeared to have something to say.
“Sir Morrison?”
The Knight nodded. “Emperor, forgive me for being so bold, but might there also be another option than to face Angkor directly? After all, they plan to attack us with the power of the Ahrimen. If they manage to pierce our defenses and gain Koba’s sunstone … again, forgive me, but it would be unthinkable. Could we not just flee the country with the sunstone and hide it?”
Zhao believed Bram’s concerns to be genuine, but no matter how well-intentioned, he didn’t understand what he was proposing.
“Unfortunately, Sir Knight, such a strategy exposes multiple issues. As I’m sure you’re aware, taking a sunstone beyond the safety of its AMF will expose anyone holding it to the demon’s corruption. Even if its handler can’t unlock the Ahriman’s powers, they might be tempted to hand the sunstone over to the enemy. Moreover, Angkor could use any of their existing sunstones to find the others, no matter how well they’re hidden.”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Bram lowered his head in resignation.
Meanwhile, the sorceress took her turn to speak. “Your Eminence, is it true that you knew of these limitations because of Transiens Veritas? If so, you must lend us the power of your knowledge. Please, we’ve come all this way, yet we know close to nothing about the Ahrimen or how to fight them. We beg you, if the enchantment allows it, please provide us with answers.”
Zhao smiled and nodded. “You are perceptive, Miss Reynolds. And yes, the enchantment provides me with answers, if I pose the right questions. The spell is not a font of information, but it will provide what’s necessary to protect the sunstones. And, since you all wish to protect them, too, Transiens Veritas allows me to answer. So, ask. What do you wish to know?”
Rosa wasn’t the only one whose expression changed. Bram and Józef exchanged eager, almost hungry looks before turning their attention to the sorceress. She must have realized they had tacitly nominated her as their voice, so she posed the first question.
“What can you tell us about the four Ahrimen?”
Zhao closed his eyes and put himself in a meditative state. Eventually, the answers came to him. “Based on Sir Morrison’s account, Angkor retrieved their sunstone after attacking the temple in Minoa. Long ago, people called it the Pisces Stone. Inside is imprisoned a demon known as the Devil of the Wroth Sea, also known as Abaddon. This creature is cruel and merciless, using mind control powers to torture its victims. Long ago, it commanded mothers to murder their children, husbands to abuse wives, and youngsters to maim the elderly.”
It was clear by the look on Bram’s and Rosa’s faces that they bore some pain at hearing this revelation. Naturally, Angkor was their homeland, and it must have been terrible to hear what Abaddon was capable of doing to the loved ones they left behind.
Bram asked a follow-up. “Do you know how this mind control presents itself? Does it take the form of a blue film over a person’s eyes? We saw such a transformation occur to the Gnostic Knight from Mount Abakai. Only at the brink of death did he warn us, saying we mustn’t inhale the blue smoke.”
Zhao nodded. “That is correct. Anyone who inhales the breath of Abaddon will be under the demon’s control. Even if they believe it not to be so, the demon can force their allegiance at any time. It can also see through their eyes and hear through their ears, even without them knowing.”
Bram nodded, though something brooded beneath his countenance. He might not have liked the answer, but he accepted the explanation.
“What can we expect from the other Ahrimen?”
Zhao folded his hands and resumed his meditation. “Kitezh’s sunstone is known as the Gemini Stone, which imprisons the Hive Queen, Libicocco. As its name implies, this demon births worker slaves, similar to a queen bee or ant. We might encounter some of Libicocco’s demonspawn in the upcoming battle.”
Zhao searched for more. “Koba’s sunstone, called the Sagittarius Stone, is prison to the Great Hunter, Belial. This beast is known for its epic strength, which it can bolster further by stealing the strength of its enemies. Finally, the fourth Ahriman is guarded by the Circle of Sorcerers in Vineta. For centuries, they’ve protected the Capricorn Stone, which imprisons the most fearsome Ahriman of them all. It goes by many names: Lords of Death, Decay, and Disease among them. Although, it was most commonly called Lord Zagan, whose plagues were responsible for the deaths of entire nations.”
The descriptions of these demons left a somber mood in the room. Zhao had once been curious enough to seek knowledge of these demons from Transiens Veritas, but the answers were so terrifying he stopped asking. He hoped the day would never come when he would be called to fulfill his role as Sunstone Protector. Yet the day was nigh, and anything short of success would lead to the doom of the world.
Józef broke the silence with a sensible question, though his voice was frayed along the edges. “How do we defeat these demons? What hope do we have of overcoming their immortal powers?”
Zhao knew the answer wouldn’t be pleasing. “For all practical purposes, they cannot be destroyed. The clearest way to triumph is to return the sunstones to the temples from which they were stolen. But, failing that, if the Ahrimen are allowed to break free, our only hope is to repeat the steps that imprisoned them long ago.”
Józef’s jaw dropped. “How are we supposed to wrest the sunstones from Angkor’s grasp? And what if they succeed in gaining all four? I might not have received Transiens Veritas, but my father once told me that all four sunstones, gathered in one place, would release the demons from their imprisonment. Just one of these creatures managed to possess the king of Angkor and cause incredible harm, yet it hasn’t even broken free. At least, as far as we know. How could we possibly face all four?”
The young king sounded almost frantic. It would be easy to blame it on inexperience, but Zhao also felt frightened and unprepared.
“There’s something I don’t understand,” Quon broke in. “We believe that King Richard and the Rogue Wizard, Virgil Garvey, plotted to gather the sunstones, knowing what they contained. At least one of them must have known what would happen. So why risk it? What would they hope to gain?”
“It’s madness!” Józef answered. “Just like in Dominic’s Pact.”
Zhao was aware of the old play, which was about a man who made a pact with a demon, in exchange for fame and fortune. The demon convinced him to steal the crown from his king and promised that he would become king, instead. Dominic agreed and murdered his king, but the moment he set the crown upon his head, he started a civil war. Two factions fought one another, one side supporting Dominic, while the other remained loyal to the royal family. The result was that both sides destroyed the other, leaving Dominic as the sole survivor: the king of a dead nation.
Zhao believed he had an answer. “Your implication, King Brandt, is that Virgil is as naïve as Dominic. You believe he seeks the Ahrimen out of foolish greed, unaware of a foreseeable tragedy. However, I believe he might be planning something different.”
The others leaned in, curious what Zhao had to say.
“While listening to this debate, the enchantment provided me with some very interesting knowledge. It has to do with the four Great Sages: the same powerful scholars who banded together to imprison the Ahrimen a thousand years ago. Their task was by no means easy, but they had help from four artifacts, capable of neutralizing the Ahrimen’s corruption. By weakening the demons with these artifacts, the Great Sages were able to use the sunstones to imprison them.”
Bram’s eyes lit up. “These artifacts … they didn’t happen to be called moonstones, by any chance?”
Zhao was surprised. “Yes. In fact, they were.”
Bram pounded his fist into an open palm. “Of course! It makes sense. The last word of the dying Knight on Mount Abakai was ‘moonstone’. Richard must have sent him to the mountain to find one of these artifacts. I’m certain!”
Rosa looked as if she came to a similar conclusion. “If these moonstones can neutralize an Ahriman, would they not allow whoever possesses them to use the Ahriman’s powers without consequence?”
Zhao pondered the question. “I suppose so, yes.”
“Then don’t you see?” Rosa asked. “Virgil intends to release the Ahrimen, but only once he gathers enough moonstones to control them.”
Quon looked incredulous. “You think he would be so reckless? If Richard is looking for the moonstones, it means he hasn’t found them, yet. But that hasn’t stopped him from using the Ahriman’s powers and risking their corruption. Or even their escape!”
Józef shook his head. “Like I said: madness!”
Zhao raised his hands and urged his guests to calm down. “These revelations are troubling, I admit, but we mustn’t get carried away. The consequences are the same, no matter the motivation. We much arm ourselves with the truth, as terrible as it might be. What about you, Miss? Did you have something to say?”
He gestured to Rosa, who had gone to where the child was sitting.
She faced the others with an explanation. “My apologies, Emperor, but I wanted to introduce Yuri. I’ve come to learn that there’s a great number of mysteries surrounding this Gaian child. One of the most profound is that they are guided by an invisible entity, known as Uriel, who appears to grant some rather incredible powers. So I wanted to ask. Does that name mean anything to you?”
Zhao posed his question to the enchantment, and he was astonished. “My word. Your intuition is a saving grace, Young Lady. Uriel happens to be the name of one of the Great Sages. Did you expect me to say so when you asked?”
Rosa shook her head. “It was a stab in the dark, but now we know. I’ve been speaking with Yuri telepathically, and while it’s difficult to understand what they’re telling me, it seems like Uriel isn’t a person. At least, not the same as the human scholars of our age. Based on what Yuri tells me, Uriel is more like a force of nature.”
“Like an aeon?” Bram spoke, and the room gave him their attention. “I saw the aeons during the attack on Yuri’s village. It seemed like all the villagers could summon them.”
Quon looked confused. “What are these aeons? I remember the stories about warriors of the Goddess. Are you saying Uriel is somehow a member of Gaia’s army?”
“Maybe they are Gaia,” Józef proposed. “You’ve seen what Yuri is capable of.”
Rosa looked uncertain. “It’s true, the Gaians believed in the deified spirit of the planet, and we’ve seen many times that truth is somehow connected to our old mythology. But before we jump to conclusions, there’s something I want to show you.”
Rosa took Yuri by the hand and squeezed. After a few seconds, she explained. “I’ve asked Yuri to show you something. But, please be careful and don’t touch it. The object they wear isn’t meant to be wielded by any of us.”
Yuri pulled the chain around their neck, exposing a dark stone.
Rosa faced the emperor. “Does the enchantment provide you with any understanding of this object?”
Zhao felt an incredible surge of hope and wonder. “I suppose you must have already suspected what I’d say before you asked.”
Bram looked to Rosa and Zhao, and back to Rosa again. “A moonstone?”
He faced the emperor, pleading. “Please, don’t get our hopes up if you’re unsure.”
There was no doubt. Zhao told them what he believed. “It is as you say. I am certain.”
It felt as if a weight was lifted from everyone in the room. At last, they understood how to neutralize the demons, and the means was within their grasp.
But Józef looked nervous. “Didn’t you say we weren’t meant to wield it?” He looked wide-eyed at Rosa. “What did you mean by that?”
Rosa cast her eyes downward. “I merely touched the stone on our way up Mount Abakai, and it was far more power than I could handle. It felt like … I gained the wisdom of the Goddess. My mortal mind just couldn’t handle it.”
“Then how can Yuri?” Józef pressed. “They wear the stone all day long. Emperor Zhao?”
Zhao shook his head. “It appears Transiens Veritas has reached the limit of its knowledge. I know no more about the moonstone than anyone else here. Nevertheless, if this child was borne to wield it, they are the best weapon we have.”
Bram shook his head vigorously. “No … I can’t accept that.”
Quon looked at him crossly. “Bram! You mustn’t speak to the emperor that way!”
Zhao held out a hand. “Let him speak, Master Nan. He has the right.”
Bram faced the room humbly. “I’m sorry, but I meant what I said. You might see a weapon, but all I see is a child. We can’t force them to go against one of those monsters. I won’t allow it.”
Rosa reached out. “Bram … I understand that you care for Yuri and want to protect them, but you need to ask, what do they want? If Yuri was born with this responsibility, they must choose whether or not to take on that mantle. You can’t make that decision for them.”
Zhao saw anger behind the Knight’s eyes. Surely, he fit the mold of a Gnostic Knight. Nevertheless, the topic was too important for him to remain silent.
“Sir Knight, surely you must know that Miss Reynolds speaks the truth. In a just world, we would keep our children safe from harm.” He very nearly choked, knowing that he had outlived all of his own sons. “However, we are on the precipice of a very dark future. You know the stakes as well as any of us. If we fail to contain the Ahrimen, no child will be safe. We owe it to the world to use every advantage at our disposal.”
Bram looked dejected, but he did not object. Zhao felt empathy for him.
“Emperor?” Rosa spoke once more. In the aftermath of Bram’s outburst, her voice was a welcome change.
“Could you please check one more time on your knowledge of the Great Sages. This time, the name is ‘Remiel’.”
Bram sprung back from his depression and looked eager to hear Zhao’s response. The emperor nodded. “Remiel was also the name of a Great Sage.”
The Knight’s eyes lost focus, as if he drifted into deep thought.
Rosa explained. “Until now, I kept this name between Bram and myself. It’s a name that Yuri gave me, as someone that Uriel had been searching for. Of course, at first, I assumed it was just another person. But after speaking with Yuri, I understood that Uriel has been searching for Remiel for a very long time. Ever since the Omega War with the Ahrimen ended, a millennium ago. Therefore, whoever Remiel was, he’d have to be ancient.”
Bram was unmistakably shaken. “But, Rosa, what about what I heard from Virgil?”
She looked directly at him. “Since you bring it up, go ahead and tell them what he told you.”
Bram explained his encounter in the Minoan temple, and the words uttered by his nemesis: “Son of Remiel.”
Quon looked confused. “How would it make sense that you’re the son of a Great Sage? Even if these ancient scholars had children, they would have all died off ages ago.”
Józef scoffed. “If Virgil is half as deranged as you say, I don’t know why you’d believe anything.”
Rosa stepped in. “Virgil did utter the name, which couldn’t have been by chance. So I gave it some thinking. If we look at some of the old stories about the Ancient Gaians, many times they were referred to as the “Sons and Daughters of Gaia”. Of course, this wasn’t meant to be literal. The term was used when describing disciples of a deity or holy person. And if these Great Sages were as powerful as we believe them to be, they might have attracted followers. Even, entire tribes.”
Bram nodded in understanding. “The Gurudeva used the same term to refer to his disciples, the Gaian Priests. But, why would Virgil imply that I’m one of Remiel’s followers. I never even knew the name until you mentioned it to me.”
Rosa smiled. “Because, Bram, you might be a descendent of Remiel’s tribe, just as Yuri is a descendent of Uriel’s tribe.” Bram’s eyes widened, as Rosa continued. “In fact, I might even go further, since I believe the best explanation connects several facts at once. Let’s start with why Virgil needed you to unlock the sunstone. We wondered what made you special, and it might have to do with your bloodline.”
Rosa went further. “There’s evidence in your appearance, too. Take Yuri, for example. It’s rare for a child to be born without pigments in their hair, but we know from your observations of their village that everyone else had the same attribute. Yours might be a few shades darker, but it could be because only one of your parents share the bloodline.”
Bram looked taken aback.
Rosa turned to Zhao. “Isn’t this consistent with what the enchantment tells you?”
Zhao had been following closely, but this time, the answers weren’t as clear. “I do not believe the Great Sages ever intended to unlock the sunstones, since they wanted the Ahrimen to be trapped there indefinitely. However, if the power to release them was passed on to humans, it would have only been through such bloodlines.”
Bram looked a bit cheerier. “Well done, Rosa. You followed the truth, and it paid off. Just like we agreed, I’ll accept it, no matter where it leads.”
She reached out and clasped hands with him. It was clear to Zhao how much they loved each other and how different he was from other Knights.
She went on. “Don’t you see, Bram? Given your bloodline, you might also be able to wield Remiel’s moonstone, just as Yuri can wield Uriel’s. This way, Yuri won’t need to stand alone.”
Rosa’s theory suddenly dawned on him, and it brought back his spirits. “You’re right! But … where would we even begin to look for it?”
The sorceress sighed. “Well, it’s not like we’ll get anywhere by looking on Mount Abakai. Without knowing specifically where to look, it’s just not practical.”
Quon interjected. “Our immediate concern is protecting the sunstone.”
Zhao agreed. “Indeed. We must ward off Angkor’s attack, and then you’ll have every resource my kingdom has to offer. Transiens Veritas is not the limit to knowledge on Gaia. There are many scholars in this world dedicated to the Old History, and many wondrous resources, as well. If you believe it might be fruitful, I’ll even offer our fastest ships, so you can travel to the Great Library in Malden.”
Zhao heard a knock on the door. He nodded to his attendant, who ushered in his herald. The man bowed deeply. “The generals are ready to see you, Emperor.”
Zhao thanked his servant and stood up. “Please excuse me while I discuss how to ramp our city’s defenses on short notice. I have just one final question. When can we expect Angkor to attack?”
Bram offered his expertise. “They won’t wait long, Emperor. It takes time to prepare an air siege, but based on when they left Rungholt, I believe it’ll be within the next three days.”
It wasn’t a lot of time. Zhao sighed gravely. “Then we have much to accomplish. I’ll arrange for the necessary resources. If you’d be willing to join later, your tactical intelligence would be greatly appreciated.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Bram responded.
Zhao also addressed Józef. “King Brandt, you have my personal thanks for forming this emissary and warning us of Angkor’s attack. Thank you. Now, please excuse me.”
With that said, the room dispersed, and Zhao headed to his nation’s leaders to discuss how to prevent disaster.