The war council was held in the grand chamber of the imperial palace, located at the heart of the capital city. The room was spacious and ornate, filled with golden columns and intricate murals depicting scenes from their history. At the far end of the room was a large throne, symbolizing the authority of the God-Emperor, Ra. Despite its grandeur, the throne was empty, and the council members gathered in front of it, their faces grave as they discussed the pressing matter at hand.
The council consisted of the highest-ranking members of the military and the aristocracy, as well as several powerful priests who served as the intermediaries between the people and the gods. They stood around a large table, studying a holographic map that showed the current state of the war. The map was dotted with red markers, indicating the areas controlled by the demons and their followers.
"We have been losing ground for too long," said General Arcanus, a stern-faced veteran of many battles. "Our forces are stretched thin, and the demons seem to be gaining strength with each passing day."
"What can we do?" asked Lord Solaris, a wealthy noble who had recently joined the council. "Our people are growing restless, and morale is at an all-time low. We need a victory, and we need it soon."
The high priest of Ra, Father Solaris, raised his hand for silence. "There is a way," he said, his voice echoing through the chamber. "The God Emperor Ra has the power to turn the tide of the war, but he has been sleeping for millennia, ever since he was entombed in the black pyramid."
The council members murmured in agreement. The black pyramid was a mysterious structure that stood at the center of one of its planets. It was said to be made of a material that was harder than any known substance, and its walls were covered in strange, unreadable writing. Despite their best efforts, no one had ever been able to penetrate the pyramid or even determine what was inside.
"If only we could find a way to awaken Ra," said Lord Solaris.
"That is easier said than done," replied Father Solaris. "The process of waking the God Emperor is a complex one, and it requires the cooperation of many different factions, as well as a great deal of ritualistic preparation."
The council members nodded in agreement, knowing that the awakening of Ra was a daunting task that had only been attempted once before, many centuries ago. The outcome of that attempt had been disastrous, leading to a great war that nearly destroyed their civilization.
"However," continued Father Solaris, "if we are to succeed, we must be willing to take the risk. The fate of our people rests on our shoulders, and we cannot afford to fail."
The council members looked at each other, the weight of their responsibility heavy on their minds. They knew that the awakening of Ra was their last hope, but they also knew that it was a risk that they could not afford to take lightly.
"What must we do?" asked General Arcanus.
"First," said Father Solaris, "we must gather the necessary components for the ritual. These include rare herbs, precious stones, and the blood of certain creatures that can only be found on certain planets."
"That will not be easy," said Lord Solaris. "Many of these items are in the hands of the demons or their followers, and it will take a great deal of effort to retrieve them."
"I will see to it," said General Arcanus, determination in his voice.