As we prepared to take our leave, Caelus asked me to step outside for a moment while he talked in private to the Princess. I, who was still blinded by the sheer amount of money I was going to have, didn't even think about saying no or even questioning them. In fact, I immediately left the room and patiently waited outside as I thought about what I'd be able to buy.
***
Caelus looked at the Imperial Princess, or rather, the larger throne that was beside her own. And soon, the shadow of Charlotte began to grow and and shake violently. From the shadow, a figure began to rise from it.
First, only a head appeared, but then two hands sprouted from the shadow and the figure used the ground to pull itself out from the Princess's shadow.
The shadowy figure took his seat on the throne. His presence was almost impossible to detect, unless you were looking directly at him, knew he was there from the start or were incredibly skilled, you wouldn't be able to know that he was there.
However, when you did notice him, you understood that you weren't dealing with a regular man. But someone closer to a God.
The man who was now sat on the throne was none other than Alexander Von Erebus. The Emperor, who like Charlotte, was a descendant of The God of Darkness.
Then, Caelus knelt and looked down at the floor. The Emperor was the only man Caelus would kneel to.
"Your Imperial Majesty, why did you hide yourself from Reinhardt? We could've sent him out after you guys had a chance to talk."
The Emperor, who's figure still couldn't be properly seen under the mask that was darkness, spoke. His vermillion red eyes glowed.
"I can't face him. If I had sent even a single reasonably powerful Knight as an escort, his sister wouldn't be a cripple, his parents would be alive and he wouldn't be kidnapped. But, enough of that. Speak. Speak of what you saw, and please, don't kneel."
With that, Caelus stood up, and sighed before speaking.
"From what I saw and was told, Reinhardt is no longer a regular person. He has the Heart of a God. And, not only that but, he's very compatible with it. He doesn't even bleed regular blood, he bleeds the same blood as you. Ichor."
The Emperor moved a shadowy hand ro his chin, scratching it as if in deep thought while Charlotte's grip on her chair's arm increased in strength.
"They did what to my Knight?"
Charlotte's anger was almost palpable, the darkness seemed to resonate with her and her shadow began to quake as if enraged itself.
Then, a part of her throne cracked under her strength. The darkness around her began to spread, but, after the Emperor sighed it all receded.
"They performed a heart transplant with the Heart of the Sun God. I'm not sure how they have that, but now, the organ of a God is in Reinhardt. And, he seems to be doing great with it in him. Supposedly, every other person with it in them died. But, he was fine."
The Emperor thought for a moment and spoke.
"The Sun God... Now then, what was this about being compatible with the Heart? Surely surviving isn't the only thing he's able to do."
Caelus smiled wryly.
"He used a white flame, I'm not sure if it has any special properties but it's not the result of an Attribute. It didn't seem like he could control it, if anything, he could only restrain it."
"I see. Well, don't pester the poor boy about it."
"Oh and your Majesty, another thing. He used a certain chant before using his power, not sure what it was. But, before he said it, I couldn't detect the God's power. I suspect he suppresses the power, and the chant allows him to stop suppressing it."
The Emperor then stood up, and walked into the darkness behind the thrones and as he dissapeared he turned around.
"I guess our strength will increase by a lot over the next few years. And Charlotte, play nice with the boy. He's yours to command."
The Princess laughed a little.
"Dad, I'm not sure you're entitled to give me permission to 'command' my Knight."
The Emperor laughed a little himself.
"You're right, now, Caelus go take him to his family. Charlotte, you go too."
Then, the Emperor dissapeared into the darkness.