The palace of the Celestial Emperor was like a shrine. And every shrine had strict laws governing it. Such laws made it almost impossible for those who didn't fit within the confines of these laws to get into the shrines. Just like shrines were limited to priests and devout worshippers, the Celestial Palace was limited to only a select few – the aides and trusted confidants of the Celestial Emperor. Not even the concubines and children of the Celestial Emperor were allowed into the palace. That was how restricted the place was. However, there were exceptions to every restricted space. And that exception was the absolute ruler of this planet and its strongest denizen – the Celestial Emperor. There were times the Emperor of the Celestials summoned some into the palace. However, he rarely summoned his own children unless it was to declare something of supreme importance. Yet he had now.
Of the Emperor's bloodline, there were several talents. However, the recent emergence of talents like Max The Tormentor and Kahn The Great had slighted those talents. After all, those talents were much older than Max and Kahn, and there wasn't any of the royal bloodline who was of the generation of those two that could match up to them. Many thought the Emperor would never have the chance to produce a child that could match up to those two, yet he had. Two in fact, had made it to that level, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Max and Kahn. These two were siblings; born of the same mother and father. A rare occurrence since the Emperor was known to avoid concubines immediately after siring a child with them. These two were The Reaper's Edge Sarong and Canyon's Mouth Sharon.
They were some years older than Kahn and Max, and logically their talented selves should have been discovered before the former two. However, they weren't exposed to the people whom they were born superior in nobility to. They had remained in the shadows, unwilling to reveal their talents and strengths. They travelled to other planets, felled numerous foes and grew enormously powerful. Their father was rarely concerned about his children, and unlike other Emperors, cared little for whether his children would survive or not. So they had quite the amount of freedom. Yet once their talents were discovered, their father's attitude towards them changed quite a bit, in that their freedom was restricted.
Of the 5 children of the Celestial Emperor, they were the ones to have been invited to the Celestial Palace the most. It was said that the Emperor always called upon them on their birthdays and bestowed upon them a gift. It was also rumored that the Celestial Emperor had shared a joke with them before, and that they had heard the rare laughter of their Lord. As to whether or not these rumors were true, only the three involved knew.
Today was as good a day as any. And to Sarong and Sharon, it was an even better day. For they had been called to the palace of their Emperor and Father. And as they waited behind the large metallic doors that led into the throne room, the anxiety from meeting their estranged father was nowhere to be found. If any saw how they fidgeted and moved, they would know that it wasn't due to discomfort or fear, but due to expectation. And why was that? Why were these two so eager to meet a man many wanted to avoid; a man who was thought of as one of the worst fathers in history? Simple really. It was because rumors were after all just rumors. For they knew much about their father, and they loved him dearly. They had no idea who the monster in the circulating rumors was, but it definitely wasn't their father.
"I wonder if Elder Brother will be there this time," a beautiful black haired maiden whose eyes resembled the deep well of Mimir looked at the door expectantly as she spoke. Her long hair reached all the way to her slender waist, and rested on her rounded hips. Her long legs were full of strength and elasticity. She wore the standard battle suit of Celestials, complete with a pair of combat boots, yet her exquisite charm couldn't be hidden. Even in such a getup, she was like a delicate flower with loads of love to share. This Celestial was Sharon, the one known as Canyon's Mouth to most Celestials.
"Brother Shanxi? Who knows?" the boy who shared in her irregular movements resembled Sharon a lot. And that was no strange thing, for they were related – by blood. He was Sharon's brother. They both had the same shade of black hair. He also had deep black eyes and was a tall gentleman, something that wasn't largely unpopular with Celestials. He was well built, and gave off the charm of one who did everything with absolute confidence and authority. His arms were like tree trunks and his legs like the core of Nidavellir itself. Unlike Sharon, he had a small red birthmark on his forehead, right above his left eye. And he seemed a bit better composed. However, the rhythmic tapping of his fingers against his opposite arm was proof that his impatience was just as great as his sister's. This man was Sarong, the Reaper's Edge.
"I hope he is here. And hopefully he came with some gifts!" Sharon clapped her hands excitedly when she spoke of her elder brother Shanxi. Although Shanxi was born from another mother, he was the closest to the brother and sister pair among the other three children. Unlike what most Celestials thought, the Celestial Emperor didn't summon his children often not because he was too proud or uncaring to send for them, but because they were rarely around.
Sharon and Sarong had met their other siblings – Peter and Anna – not more than five times! They were always out on other planets, seeking different conquests and gouging themselves in battles that most Celestials would salivate over the possibility of being a part of. That was why they weren't close.
However, they still did well to send letters and postcards the way of Sharon and Sarong. And every time they included gifts. Sharon's axe, her main weapon and the reason for her name, was a gift from Peter. And Anna gifted Sarong a lovely pair of High Level Boots that made him two times faster than he was. Because they were the youngest, they often received such gifts from their older siblings. It was as though they were trying to reassure the lonely duo that although they weren't here, they still loved them. Even Shanxi wasn't always around. Although Shanxi returned from time to time, usually bearing gifts for the duo and the Emperor as well, he barely stayed for more than a day before leaving. And usually, when their father summoned them, it was because Shanxi was here.
Why did the Celestial Emperor hide the locations of his children so? Why did he make their returns so secretive? No one knew, not even his children. But each could tell that there was something serious at stake; something that not even their father who confided in them in everything, was willing to say.
"It's opening!" Sharon squealed in delight as the large doors slowly moved out of the way. The five second wait felt like a century to Sharon, and she kept looking through the gap to see what was inside.
"Shanxi!" Sharon screamed in excitement when she saw just the person she was looking for. Beyond the door was a large man, one very large even for a Celestial. He was almost twice Sarong's height, and his muscular arms were like the anvils of the gods of craft themselves. He had a gentle aura around him, and his smile was very infectious. He was a very handsome man, and when he saw Sharon running towards him his smile widened all the more.
"Little Shasha," Shanxi called affectionately and caught his sister who had leaped towards him. He span her around a few times before putting her down.
"I'm not little anymore," Shasha's face was red in embarrassment and joy. Yet she still protested to the title used to address her. As she spoke she intentionally or unintentionally patted her bulging chest, and Shanxi smiled wryly.
"Of course. They call you Canyon's Mouth now." Shanxi guffawed, causing Sharon's face to grow even redder. But this time, it was due to shame.
"Apparently you felled an entire colony of Battle Beasts on your own. Well done." Shanxi gently stroked his sister's head and said. Sharon didn't like her moniker, but when she heard her elder brother's praise, all the complaints that had lined up in her head disappeared, and she allowed herself to enjoy his gently touch. For she knew that it wasn't a touch that would last for long.
"And you," Shanxi let go of his sister and approached Sarong who had cleverly remained behind Sharon as she had her moment with Shanxi. Although he also desperately wanted to speak to Shanxi, he held himself back and waited his turn.
"Brother Shanxi," Sarong smiled brightly and hugged Shanxi tightly. The large smile plastered on his face was no act. For he was genuinely happy. Shanxi was like a mighty oak, and Sarong was not able to get his arms all the way round Shanxi's back. For the man was like a foundational pillar, immovable and firm.
"Reaper's Edge," Shanxi grinned teasingly once he let go of Sarong.
The boy smiled embarrassingly and scratched his head. For just like his sister, he wasn't a big fun of his title. Shanxi knew both well. He knew them so well that he understood just how introverted these two were. Planet Celestial believed that the two had gone off world to fight for fame and increase their abilities so that they could stun the universe when they returned. But it was far from that. These two hated being in the spotlight so much that they were willing to go to other worlds to train! Whenever they gained a bit of fame in one world, they left immediately. That was how introverted they were. In fact, if not because they wanted to protect their father's image by proving that the Celestial Emperor had children of the latter generation who could match up to the present geniuses, they wouldn't have ever revealed themselves.
"I always feel like an outsider whenever you are here Shanxi. These two haven't even noticed that I am here with you." A voice filled with authority and the mantle of leadership filled the ears of the three siblings and brought a small smile to Shanxi's face. Sarong and Sharon turned to face the man who spoke, and in their line of sight appeared a man who was perfectly described as…perfect.
A face so smooth that an egg would lose a bet against it; jaws so well chiseled that even an axe' edge would be forced to admit its inferiority; and eyes that resembled the stars that filled the midnight sky. This man was the very embodiment of physical perfection. Mane was good looking, but if he found himself ever facing this Celestial, he would realise just how much he paled in comparison to this man. Although the man wasn't the largest Celestial, he wasn't small either. He was a tad bit taller than Sarong, yet he was slightly skinnier. His eyes were steely, yet the love in them when he looked at the three siblings couldn't be hidden.
"Father!" Sharon called out eagerly and run towards the Celestial Emperor, having forgotten all about Shanxi. Sarong was calmer. He walked towards his father with a large smile plastered across his face.
That's right. This Greater Celestial who stood in the middle of the throne room was the absolute ruler of the Celestial Empire. He was the Celestial Emperor, Atlas!