Max had failed his mission of killing the assassin and expected to have his title revoked.

Emporer Valeborn called him into his chamber rooms and Max reluctantly entered. He looked much better, no longer covered in dirt, dust, and blood. It took him a long time to get the smell of The Pit out of his clothes, as did Max when they returned to the Emporer's estate.

The Emporer's room was creme-colored, with golden trim on most of the furniture. It was decorated with antique furniture passed down from generation to generation. The price of one of the objects in the room made Max feel like he had broken something, even when he hadn't, every time he walked into the room. The balcony had a view into the garden with a lazy river. The door was open, and a gentle summer breeze wafted into the room making it cozy.

Max saluted Emporer Valeborn who gave him a quick nod and walked over to him. Max tensed up and prepared to lose everything over a simple mistake. All he had worked hard for might be destroyed because he had let emotions get in the way of proper judgment.

"I'm disappointed in you," Emporer Valeborn said.

He said in the way a father was upset with his son. The tone of his voice made his words true and it felt worse than if he were angry with Max.

"Thank you for saving my life," he continued. "It is a shame that the assassin escaped but I know you will be able to find him. When you do, let me kill him personally."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Have you heard any word of why the security lapse occurred?"

"Some think that people are working from within. Others speculate this is a one-time attack," Max replied.

Emporer Valeborn went to his white cabinet and took out a glass. He poured himself a glass of hard visiko and told himself he needed it after the day they had.

"Do you want some," he asked.

"No thank you, My Lord. No drinking while on the clock."

Valeborn took a long gulp of it and coughed, only used to drinking alcohol and public functions. He thought about what forces from within could want to kill him, but he had already disposed of Princess Rhiannon years ago. She was the last of her house. His only heir was three years old, and it would make no sense for his wife to kill him, she would be powerless because the Emporer's younger brother would become regent or ascend before his son.

"What do you think happened Sir Optima?"

"May I speak freely, My Lord?"

"You may."

Max adjusted the luxury watch on his wrist.

Years of working his way up the military, gaining respect, but there would always be one person he could never look in the eye.

He hated it.

"I think the threat is from outside," Max said.

"How so?"

"One of the Nobli must have heard about your plan to get rid of ŝtupetaro. They planned an attack to kill you and make it look like the peko were after you."

"I wasn't thinking of that. But I kept this announcement a very tight secret. Who told?"

"We can find out who told. It will make finding the rat easier to track down and poison the nest," Max replied.

"This is why I keep you."

Max gave a small smile, pleased that the Emporer's disappointment was not long-lasting. The Emporer took another glass of visiko and drank deeply wanting to drink his fears away, one glass at a time. He looked closer to man than the god he claimed to be wearing his house clothes a simple grey shirt, red shorts, and glasses. He looked into the glass and asked an odd question.

"Why haven't you killed me," Emporer Valeborn asked.

"My Lord, I think you have had too much to drink," Max replied.

"I just drank. It can't affect me that quickly."

Max kept fidgeting with his watch and only spoke when he was forced to.

"Answer me, I asked you to, obey me," the Emporer said.

"I would never hurt you, My Lord."

Emporer Valeborn walked up to him and stared him down. He was a head taller than Max, making him even more fearful to look up. Emporer Valeborn savored every moment of control but still questioned Max's loyalty. Max took a step away and looked at the Emporer's shoulder so it appeared that he was looking at his face because he knew that the Emporer was grumpy and needed someone to pick on.

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"I hear of a young man, working his way up the ranks of the military, willing to kill anyone to get to the top. I think he is another spy, too greedy and working too fast," Emporer Valeborn said. "I see that it is you, and I learn that you are the Stormweaver, their god. Why do you not kill me?"

"I am weaker than you," Max replied.

This was an odd declaration. Max was physically stronger than him, but Emporer Valeborn would never have him admit it. It was another lie that became a truth once he spoke it.

"Yes, you are," Valeborn agreed.

"I cannot kill someone I love," Max said. "I've come to know you after some time and...I can't."

The Emporer squeezed his glass and was somewhat satisfied with the answer. Everyone obsessed over him. They looked up to him and wanted to be protected to them. He was the All-Father. But he had never believed that they loved him. It sounded too personal and too empty at the same time.

So he kept pushing.

"Why do you love me," he asked.

"I love you because you are Aria, and I love Aria," Max replied.

"Of course you do," the Emporer chuckled.

"The Vale has lifted me out of The Pit. Fadeno military school made me the first to graduate in my family. You made me a Nobli and gave me land, gave me purpose. Why would I ever kill you?"

"Because you're waiting for the right chance," the Emporer replied.

"My Lord, can I still speak freely?"

"Yes."

"Why haven't you killed me?"

Emporer Valeborn laughed like he had heard the best joke in his life. He poured more visiko into his glass, and now the drink slowly made his cheeks red.

"Why kill god when I can make him my slave," Emporer Valeborn said. "I can kill all the peko and make you the last one!"

"I am the first and the last," Max said wearily.

"Yes. You should be happy," The Emporer said. "I am fulfilling your peko fairytales. Will you be happy once it comes true?"

"Yes, My Lord."

The Emporer snorted.

"I will be happy with any gift you have given me. All the gifts you have given me in the past have been wonderful, like this watch," Max said.

"Get out."

"Yes, My Lord. I will be waiting outside if you need me."

Max stood outside the Emporer's chamber bedroom doors and rolled his eyes as he heard him grumble. He was now starting to get drunk, being a fool, alone in his room, yet still wanting attention, and being loud enough for Max to hear him outside.

A little ding went off and Aetheria popped onto his shoulder.

"Hello, sir. Would you like an update?"

"Yeah, thanks Aetheria."

"Your shift ends in an hour. Eric and Tiffany want to know when the next meeting is. Do you want to reply?"

"Yes. Tell them it's tomorrow evening. We can make it a party to celebrate the end of ŝtupetaro."

"Wonderful idea, sir! I will send out invitations to everyone and the party will begin at the usual time."

"Thank you Aetheria."

"Yes sir! Please remember to eat breakfast! You didn't yesterday..."

She faded out of view, and Max leaned his head back onto the chamber doors and his stomach grumbled. He was trying to avoid leaning on the AIA for emotional support but it was starting to get there. He felt very lonely because of his job, and the bullying from his boss didn't help. There is no HR to report the leader of a nation for workplace bullying.

He played with his watch, thinking how and when he would kill Obsidian Valeborn once he was done with him.