The dust had barely settled in the Imperial City, and already the air was thick with the unmistakable scent of change. The streets, once filled with the echoes of Imperial decrees, were now eerily silent, save for the occasional distant cry from those who had witnessed the destruction. The Imperial Palace lay in ruin, its once-grandiose gates shattered, the walls that had stood for centuries now crumbling under the weight of the Empresses' wrath.
Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin stood at the top of the palace steps, overlooking the city that was now theirs. Their presence radiated power, filling the air with an unspoken command that even the most defiant of the Imperial forces couldn't ignore. The battle had been swift, and the city had fallen with little resistance. The Emperor's final attempt to defend his throne had been futile; his forces shattered like glass beneath the onslaught of their power.
Qingyu's gaze was calm, her expression as cold as ever. She watched as the remnants of the Imperial Guard, those few who had survived, retreated into the shadows, their courage broken. The throne was no longer in question—it was hers to claim. She felt no triumph in it, only the cold satisfaction that came with knowing she had achieved what was always meant to be.
Yuexin, ever the fiery spirit, flashed a wicked grin. "That was almost too easy. I was hoping for a bit more of a challenge, but I suppose there's no one left who can stand against us."
Qingyu's lips curled ever so slightly in acknowledgment. "The Emperor's pride was his downfall. He was too blind to see that his time had passed. The Empire was already ours the moment he hesitated."
Yuexin let out a small laugh. "Too bad for him, then."
As they stepped further into the heart of the ruined palace, the last remnants of the Imperial Court gathered in the grand hall. Some were ministers, others were military leaders, and all were desperate, uncertain of the fate that awaited them under the rule of the new Empresses. Fear had already begun to settle over their hearts. These were the people who had sworn allegiance to the Emperor, but now they faced a reality that no one had ever imagined: the Empire was no longer theirs to command.
A court minister, trembling as he kneeled before the two women, spoke first, his voice shaking. "Your Majesties… We beg for your mercy. The Emperor... he was the heart of the Empire. Without him, we—"
Yuexin's fiery energy crackled, and with a single flick of her wrist, the minister's words stopped dead. He had not even seen the flames until they were at his throat. He trembled, expecting the worst, but Qingyu's calm voice interrupted.
"Enough," Qingyu said softly, her icy gaze locking onto the minister. "You will not speak of the Emperor's weakness again. It is done, and now you must decide which side you stand on."
The minister's eyes widened, his breath hitching in fear. "We... we stand with you, Your Majesty," he stammered, his voice barely audible. "We wish only to serve the true rulers of the Empire."
Yuexin smirked, amusement dancing in her eyes as she looked at Qingyu. "It seems they are quick to change allegiances. I wonder how long this loyalty will last."
Qingyu's expression remained impassive. "Loyalty is earned, not given. If they seek to prove their worth, they will have their chance."
The room fell into an uneasy silence as the remaining members of the court realized they were at the mercy of the Empresses. There was no room left for rebellion, no opportunity for escape. The old power structures had crumbled, and the new rulers had arrived.
Meanwhile, across the ruins of the Imperial City, the League's forces moved from the shadows, observing the aftermath of the battle. They had been waiting for this moment, watching the Empresses' rise from a distance. The Abyssal King, standing in the darkened chambers of the League's stronghold, studied the map of the Empire, his eyes calculating.
"It's done," his lieutenant said, her voice barely a whisper. "The Empresses have taken the city, and the Emperor is no more. We should move now, before they fully solidify their power."
The Abyssal King's lips twisted into a smile, cold and dangerous. "They may have claimed the throne, but the League will not bow to them. They are powerful, yes, but they are not invincible. It is time to remind them of the true rulers of this world."
His lieutenant nodded, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "We will strike when they least expect it. The Empresses may believe they have won, but they will soon learn that the League is not so easily ignored."
Back at the palace, the Empresses began to address the people. They stood together in the grand hall, where the remnants of the old Empire had been swept away. The world would soon know that Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin were no longer figures in the shadows. They were the rulers of the Empire, and no one could stand against them.
The courtiers gathered before them, the fear in their eyes evident as they waited for the new rulers to speak. Qingyu's voice broke the silence, calm but authoritative. "The Empire is no longer divided. We will bring order, and we will bring power. Those who remain loyal will be rewarded. Those who defy us will be destroyed."
Yuexin's voice rang out, full of fire and excitement. "This is just the beginning. We'll show everyone who controls this Empire. We've taken it by force, and now it's ours to shape."
The crowd, once trembling in fear, now began to kneel before them. The rise of the Empresses was complete, and their reign was about to begin in earnest.