Brethora Shivaay was the next heir to the throne that ruled over half of the known universe. His family produced great rulers, diplomats, scholars and tyrants throughout its long history and lineage. Even though he wanted to be a diplomat, the universe had something else in mind for him. The youngest of his siblings, he was deemed to be more worthy of the throne because of his somewhat softer nature and adaptive intelligence. Only couple hours were left before his inauguration ceremony.

He liked to spend time with his uncle, the Grand Scholar of the Empire and the Director of the Unified Imperial University. His wisdom had always astounded Brethora from when he was just a child. Once every two months he would come to visit him in the Capital System but today he came to pay respect to the Emperor like millions of other powerful men and women. 

They sat in a booth at the Garden of Words as Brethora contemplated his next move to defeat him in a game of Battlemage, a 3-dimensional board game that required extensive brainwork and strategizing.Prolov Shivaay, the Grand Scholar was not concentrating too much on the game. Every time he came to the Garden of Words he felt surprised and a sense of awe. Humans could do so much and understand so little. 21385 human caretakers were assigned to tend to this garden and 60000 Android laborers. For what? So that pompous fools like himself could come and spend some time here and .. talk? He never understood the meaning of such waste of resources. Before he sat his nephew, the next emperor of mass. The owner of an uncountable amount of planets, of which less than fifty thousand were occupied. Diplomats with no sense of scope made treaties about galaxy clusters and superclusters as if they were nothing. 

'You seem a bit distracted today, uncle.' Brethora said as he made his next move. 

'Dear nephew, this is the 67th time we're playing this game and you haven't learned anything from it.' 

'That is what I'm trying to figure out for so long. What is it that you want me to learn from this?' 

'As today is your inauguration, let me just tell you. You have to see more than the game. I wanted you to learn that there is no point in fighting someone you know you won't win against.' He said while making a game winning move. 

'Incredible. I again walked right into your devious traps.' Brethora said with an awkward smile. 

'I heard that the Ministry of Warfare is secretly purifying planets with rebellious elements. It would be a matter of shame if these vile acts were traced back to the Imperial family.' Prolov said. 

'Father making his last moves as the Emperor, I assume. I'm sure my dear elder sister is the one handling these orders from him.' 

'Ministry of Science, Diplomacy, Economy and the Union of Aware's support you. You also have the full support of the House of Commons. The House of Lords and the Ministry of Warfare seem to be a bit vocal against a more 'civilized' emperor.' 

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'With you by my side, I don't think their voice will matter much. You already hold the position of the Grand Scholar. I know you're old and tired but you are still the most important piece of my game. I want you to be an official part of my inner circle.'

'You know well that it is impossible. I was banished by your grandfather from the imperial line. I cannot be a part of your inner circle. I will serve you from the shadows as always. I only hope that you will stay firm in your decisions about the problems I discussed with you.' 

'Of course. The Dark Matter Catastrophe effects us all. It is time the Empire focused on more important things rather than gaining useless territory.' 

Their meeting was interrupted by a Royal Guard bearing urgent news. He appeared out of thin air and bowed before Brethora. 

'Elsa Ruthlaw has been brought as ordered, your majesty.' 

'Finally. I have to go now, uncle. The High Minister of Warfare's daughter is here.' 

'And why is she here?' Prolov felt surprised by this. He wasn't informed about such an escalation beforehand. Normally Brethora took advice from him before making significant decisions. 

'It would seem indecisive of an Emperor to ascend the throne without a Champion.' He said. 

'What a cunning choice...' Prolov whispered.

Brethora quietly looked at the woman in front of him. She seemed confused and a bit worried, as anyone would be if they were forcefully invited to the Emperor's palace without any written reason. More than 5 minutes had passed since Elsa had bowed down to show respect to the future Emperor. Yet it seemed like he had forgotten about her as he didn't permit her to rise. 

'Will you spend all day in that demeaning position, Lady Elsa?' 

She stood up registering this as an indirect permission. Elsa was just a representative of the House of Commons. A quite insignificant role. She certainly was not important enough to be called directly by the Emperor. 

'I'm sure you know about the employment of the Champion.' Brethora said seated informally on the wide pluorite table of his inner office. 

'I respectfully deny your offer before it is made. I mean no disrespect to you but I'm just an insignificant part of your government. I have never dreamed of holding such power and responsibility.' Elsa said with much politeness in her voice. She realized what sort of deep trouble she was in right now. The emperor knew her actual identity and her past. She was about to get entangled in the repulsive inner politics of the empire.

'Quite fast, your response.' Brethora said with a cold voice. 

She wouldn't give in to this nonsense without a fight. Before she could react two Royal guards appeared behind her. Without any weapons, her fate was decided the moment she set foot into this enormous palace. Two immensely powerful Astral Blades pierced through her body rendering her powerless. 

Brethora slowly walked towards her as the two guards forced her to kneel down. 

'I wish there was an easier way to do this.' Brethora said as he put his hand firmly on the right side of her face pushing her head down. 

'By the power bestowed upon the ancient blood that flows through my veins, I hereby brand you with the Mark of the Emperor. I declare you my Champion, the manifestation of my power in the physical realm. My wrath and the agony of my enemies.'

Ancient power surged through her body. A power that she couldn't even begin to comprehend. Secrets of the very fabric of existence revealed before her as she stood before the black throne of an all powerful being. She had to bow down. How couldn't she? It forced her. As an inanimate object, she existed as the being devoured her mind and body. She slowly became a part of the deepest secret of the Imperial family and the source of their unimaginable power.