Mt. Caelum, the continent of Acies' tallest peak known colloquially by the locals as the pillar of heaven. A mountain so tall that even the most experienced of mountaineers would die of exhaustion before they even reached its midpoint.
However almost impossibly, at Mt. Caelum's peak a deer was being roasted slowly over a camp fire. The person preparing the deer was a giant of a man standing close to ten feet tall while being composed of muscles that could only be described with the word perfection.
He had the rugged battle worn demeanor of a war tested veteran with features that seemed lifted straight from a Greek statue, features that only grew more attractive with age and experience. While he appeared to be in his mid to late 40's his age was already fast approaching the 500-year mark. This man was one who had seen it all, done it all and in the end choose to forsake it all.
This man was known as Peter Invicta the 'Titan of the North', one of the 'Four Ascending Kings' of the Acies continent. He was said to have a body impervious to any and all damage, and the strength to topple mountains with a single punch.
"whoosh!"
At that moment Peter heard the sounds of a rapidly approaching object moving at high speeds through the air. Soon the speck in the distance grew to the size of a man.
The flying object turned out to be a man who looked to be in his mid-twenties. However much like Peter, he too was much older than he appeared. This newcomer was Zander the 'Ocean of the West' another member of the 'Four Ascending Kings.'
"In the village at the base of the mountain, there exists a legend that states; any person able to scale Mt. Caelum would be able to meet God face to face. I wonder how they'd feel if they made it all the way up here only to meet a lonely old man." Said Zander almost as if he was speaking to thin air.
"What do you want Zander, I thought I told you never to appear before me unless it's important." Growled Peter.
"Well you've been living as a recluse for the last 100 years so I thought it was time that you heard from a friend, and also I did come bearing important news" replied Zander.
Hearing this Peter began to seriously ponder what could possibly be important enough to make Zander one of the continent's four strongest beings take the month-long journey to the middle of nowhere just to meet him. "Could war have broken out? No, those children wouldn't dare, not while we're still alive at least. Then it must be that crazy emperor he's the only one with the guts and the ability to challenge Zander. But then again, Zander has his wife on his side so it'll always be a 2v1."
"hmm… don't tell another ascendant has been born on the emperor's side!!!" yelled Peter in alarm.
"No No, it's nothing as dire as that. It's just that Charlotte and I finally managed to have a child and I wanted to invite you to her birthday celebration she's turning three this year" exclaimed Zander happiness and pride evident in his tone.
"..." Peter didn't know what to say, here he was panicking over what turned out to be a party invitation. "you know what I'll just say no it's not like I have to go, I'll just think up a good excuse" said peter to himself as he fell into a trance. By the time he snapped out of it and returned his attention to Zander he was once again alone.
"… Damn, I didn't even get a chance to say no"
*
Ira Tyrannus, the 'Mad king of the East" one of the 'Four Ascending Kings' and the only one of the four to truly be a ruler of a sovereign state. This was a man who lived and died by his ideals and existed as the true embodiment of the word tyrant. Ruling over his expansive empire with an iron fist.
However, this wasn't all bad, when comparing all the varying nations that existed on the Acies continent, his Aeternum empire had the lowest crime rate and had zero corruption within its governing bodies. Within the Aeternum empire there existed a saying that went; "If you want to see the next moon, follow the rules." At this moment emperor Ira was seated in his throne room listening to the quarter year report of his ministers.
"… so, in conclusion while agricultural production in the southern region is up 20% this quarter, due to the new policies of the kingdom of Solis export is down 60%" said one of the empire's governor of the southern region.
"hmm it seems that little brat king Solis has suddenly grown a back bone, who was it that gave him the guts to challenge my empire." Stated Ira with a fear inducing iciness apparent in his tone.
"It's the Sage's Valley sir, with them around the other nations have the confidence that we won't dare attack" lamented one of the ministers.
"what did you just say I dare you to repeat that! Who says I won't attack them? Do you think the Sages Valley is enough to deter me? Scram get out my sight, you can reflect on your statements for a week in the pit!" Shouted Ira.
"Si-sir I beg your forgiveness, anything but the pit! Not the pit sir, please don't send me there." Pleaded the unlucky minister as he was forcibly removed from the throne room desperately fighting his assailants until one of them knocked him unconscious.
"Let this be a reminder to all of you, I don't fear the Sage's Valley, I never have and never will" declared Ira while shrouded in the awe inspiring aura of an ascendant.
After this the room descended into an awkward with none of the remaining ministers daring to be the next to step up and speak. After about a minute of silence Ira finally had enough and once again yelled at his ministers.
"what, do none of you have anything else to report, if not what's the point of you all being here wasting my time!"
"Umm sir I do have something to report, it's about the Sage's Valley." Said one of the ministers with a trembling voice.
"Hurry up and speak, stop wasting my time" grunted Ira.
"Well sir some of our agents have reported news of a child in the Sage's Valley" said the minister.
"This child must be important if you're telling me about it" said Ira.
"This child is important sir; they seem to be the offspring of the valley master and valley madam. According to reports the child is female and should be turning three years old in the coming months, apparently the valley master is planning a grand celebration for her birthday." Said the minister.
"So those two finally succeeded after a hundred years of trying, good for them I'm honestly surprised that they managed to keep it under wraps for three years. I should give them a visit, yes I definitely will, what kind of uncle would I be if I didn't visit my niece?" muttered Ira.
"…"
All the ministers could only stay silent at Ira's sudden shift in attitude. "Since when were you an uncle? You guys aren't even blood related, and last time we checked you and the Sage's Valley were enemies."