A/N: HELLO ALL WELCOME TO THE BEGINNING OF THE GREY IMPERIUM. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST BOOK ON HOW THE IMPERIUM BEGINS. PLEASE BARE WITH ME AS IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE THE DIMENSION HOPPING FUN BEGINS.

THANKS FOR READING

- ESERNGO

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Leo was having a bad day so to speak. Right now his face was bloodied up, lips busted open, and a nose no longer straight. Any other day he would have looked normal with his brown hair and brown eyes. He was of average height and along a stockier build. His clothes on the other hand hadn’t changed much, seeing how he was homeless and had just survived a ‘bum hunt’ by the police. Laying under a bridge trying to find some quiet in the night was something he wanted to do. Maybe he wouldn’t wake up, not that he cared much anymore as he drifted off to sleep.

As Leo opened up his one swollen eye, he sighed from the unfortunate survival of his wounds. He was still under the bridge when he was trying to figure out how he was going to eat that day.

“Hello Leo.”

Leo turned his head to see a beautiful woman in a sparkly blue dress along with a man in a red suit and tie.

“What do you want? Here to kill me? Go right on ahead, ain’t much to live for these days.” He snarled at them.

“My my Leo, I know yesterday wasn’t a good day but surely today is a new one isn’t it? Don’t you want to know why we’re here?” the man said.

“Don’t care. Shove off”

“Come now, don’t be like that. What if I took your pain away? Would you talk to us then?” the woman asked in a tender voice.

“HAH, if you take my pain away and get me some food. Sure why not perky tits.” He laughed as he tried to stand up and get a feel for how bad how injuries were.

“Ok then.” The woman said as she waved her hand.

Leo wasn’t paying attention as he was still trying to feel around. Before he could really process what she said though his pain had faded away.  In a stunned confused state of mind, he touched his face only to not wince in pain. Looking at the two people in red he was all of a sudden interested.

“The food is on your left.” The man pointed.

On his left appearing out of nowhere was a nice stack of waffles, maple syrup, a liter of orange juice and a banana. Looking up at them stunned, Leo said, “Ok well you have my attention now. Are you going to whip up some chairs and a table now so we can be civilized now?” he joked.

“Oh that’s a good idea actually.” The man said with a snap of his fingers.

A flash of light took place between them and what appeared was a beautiful table perfect in size to fit three people. Leo just sighed and thought, ‘and I thought if I saw it again it wouldn’t baffle me as much. Goes to show what I know.”

“Well let’s sit.” The woman said as she walked hand in hand with the man.

With his food Leo sat opposite to them and started eating.

“Now we know who you are but obviously you don’t know who we are. Would you like to fathom a guess with your little mind?” the man asked.

‘Little mind? I’ll show you asshole.’

“There’s only two realistic options, higher beings or aliens.” He said as he took a sip from his orange juice.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Hah I won!” the woman said as the man grumbled.

“No he didn’t…”   the man said before he trailed off into another language.

“Hush dearest, I think it’ll be interesting.” She smiled as she tapped his shoulder.

“I am known as Nox and this is my husband Erebus.” She introduced.

“The Gods of Night and Darkness?” Leo asked as he stared at them.

“Oh he knows who we are! Yes we are Night and Darkness, You are Leo, we know all about you. How your parents abandoned you, how your ex-wife stole your daughter from you and broke your heart, how your best friend stole her from you, and how your boss framed you for embezzling funds from the company you worked at. We also know you’ve got an above human average intelligence from your military research days. We know all that and we like you.” Erebus said through his smile.

“Me? Why do you like me? I never prayed to the either of you before.”

“Oh our sons have told us much about you. They thought you would be a good source of entertainment.” He said.

“Oh yes, there is much we have to discus.” Nox smiled wickedly.

‘What the hell?’

“Such as?” he asked.

“Simply put we want to give you a chance, a way to do something never done before.” Erebus said coyly.

“Like?” Leo said cautiously.

“Simple really. You will get three types of wishes. One of People, One of Tools, and One of Desire.” Nox explained.

“Why me?” Leo asked.

“Why not? You have no reason to live, no reason to love, and certainly no reason to do what we say, but what if you gave yourself a reason again. What if you could distribute justice as you saw fit, to create your own paradise and a hell for all those evil doers? You’re wondering why do what we want, I ask you ‘Why shouldn’t you?’” Erebus challenged.

Leo sat there looking at the ground. Why shouldn’t he? Who would stop him? The only one who could really stop him were the two right in front of him and they wanted him to be entertaining.  Having lost everything and being left with nothing why shouldn’t he just say fuck it and do whatever he wanted?

“Ok I’m in, but explain the wishes to me.” He said

They smiled and Erebus pulled out a small ancient looking wooden box. Opening and turning the box around to display the contents were three small orbs.

“These are your three wishes.” Erebus said as he picked up the three grey orbs.

“The People wish will give you the power to summon any one person to you and obey your every desire. The One of tools will give you something you can use however you see fit. Lastly the one of desire will grant you something you wish for except more wishes.” Erebus said.

“So I can get three wishes, people, tools and desire. Okay im in after you tell me what you want.” Leo said pushing away his tray of food.

“Simple, entertain us. Do a good job and we’ll give you more wishes.” Nox said deviously.

‘No way in hell is it going to be so easy, but what the hell.’

“OK, do I sign in blood or will ink be ok?”

“You already agreed so no signing. Here” Erebus said as he slid the box over to him.

“So Leo what’s your first wish going to be?” Nox asked.