In the following weeks, the former Grave City, now an awe-inspiring floating island, became a major attraction throughout the empire and even the other human empires that lie far beyond the border. Attracting those who are keen to grasp an opportunity to rise above the others, a chance to become more than what they are currently.
The city, suspended above the vast crater, drew warriors, mages, and seekers from all over the empire and beyond. After such a fateful event that had taken place, many powerful and even influential beings set their sight upon this tiny piece of land.
Though under the warning from the Venerable of the human race that they had heard before, most kept their hands at bay from escalating anything further in the wrong direction.
They came to witness the miracle of the floating city, to explore the remnants of the battlefield, and to feel the lingering aura of the Venerable.
The remnants of what was left from the battle, despite its disadvantages and harm to the mortal are quite beneficial to the awakened ones all across the human empires. Especially when the energy is of that a human-divine path, how can this not excite the people even more?
The city, now known as the Abyss of the Sun, became a sacred site. A holy place such that the people went and prayed to gain blessings under the name of the human venerable.
It was a place where individuals of talent could seek out and tap into the immense residual energy left by the battle there.
The energy alone could provide an endless stream of new awakeners that want to take upon the path of the sun's divinity. A new path that was never heard before but appeared under the revelation of Venerable Elera's presence.
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In the grand capital city of the Ignaria Empire, known as **Ignor Idus**, the heart of power beats with both elegance and authority.
The palace at its center was a marvel of architectural splendor, an edifice of gleaming white stone adorned with gold accents. The main hall within this palace was vast, its high vaulted ceiling supported by towering columns of marble.
Golden chandeliers hung from above, casting a warm, ambient glow that illuminated the hall's opulent decor.
The atmosphere in the hall was charged with a sense of solemnity. The walls were lined with flags of varied sizes and styles, honoring old warriors and also ancient human ancestors that had existed before their time.
A grand red carpet led from the massive double doors to the majestic throne. On the throne sat Emperor Roderic Ignis, a figure that stood at the pinnacle of the current human race, the protector, the reason for the monsters that lie beyond the human empire to stay put upon their seatings.
His hair was a cascade of vibrant red flames, reminiscent of Illira, the fifth princess of the Ignaria empire. It flowed down his shoulders in a fiery, mesmerizing display, contrasting sharply with the deep blue of his regal robes.
His eyes were a piercing amber, as they reflected the kneeling figures before him that would tremble under his piercing gaze. The emperor's attire was elaborate: a deep crimson cloak lined with gold, embroidered with intricate patterns of sunbursts and celestial motifs.
The throne itself was a grand creation, carved from dark mahogany and inlaid with gold, and coupled with his bearing, the hall exuded the heavy breath of a ruler, that stood above billions and even trillions.
And before him, Sirius knelt on one knee, his posture indicating both respect and a hint of unease. His robes, once resplendent with their white-golden sheen, now appeared subdued in the presence of the emperor. Sirius's head was bowed, his gaze fixed on the ground as he awaited the emperor's words.
The hall's silence was heavy, punctuated only by the distant echoes of footsteps and the faint rustling of tapestries in the gentle breeze from the open windows.
The grandeur of the room and the emperor's imposing figure set the stage for the weighty discussion that was about to lie ahead.
What other pressing things could there be other than the latest upheaval that had occurred on his land, and as such... even the pillar was called to inform him of this news and analysis?
Emperor Roderic Ignis finally broke the silence, his voice rich and toned in a deep treble, reverberating through the hall its echo. "Then to say..." The emperor's tone was measured.
His fiery red hair, akin to the blaze of a setting sun, seemed to glow more intensely as he spoke. "A demon appeared on the outskirts of the Grave City mountain range. Lord Baelor, the city lord in charge, detected the enemy through the explosion and prepared for battle. Yet... something else came..."
Sirius, his posture rigid responded with a heavy-hearted tone. "Yes, Your Majesty."He dared not lift his eyes from the ground, though he could feel the emperor's penetrating gaze upon his body.
"The venerable-rank demon arrived within the border of our empire. For some unknown reason, despite our spies monitoring the situation for the last two weeks, we have been unable to confirm how the demon managed to open a portal here"
" There were no signs of sacrifices, no rituals—nothing. It was as if, that demon just appeared out of thin air... "
The emperor's expression grew contemplative, his eyes narrowing as he processed the news. "I see... That is odd."
"Sirius," Emperor Roderic's voice cut through the silence," as far as you are aware, there are rules even among the many races of the myriad world..."
Sirius, still kneeling, looked up with a mixture of confusion and concern. "Y-yes?"
"I am aware of it, Your Majesty..." Sirius replied, his voice wavering slightly as he tried to grasp the full implications of the emperor's words.
"Then, for there to be no clear cause for the demon's appearance," Roderic continued, his eyes narrowing with grave concern, "this is not only bizarre but also... The rules being broken, shattered, breached from the demon sides"
"Which means that a demon venerable could emerge from their world at any time they wish, and soon perhaps... a war... will occur"
Sirius's eyes widened as the gravity of the emperor's statement sank in. "This is catastrophic," he said, his voice trembling with the weight of the realization.
The emperor's gaze grew darker. "Indeed," he said quietly, "if such a powerful entity can appear without warning, few can stop it"
"Alas, those venerable of the other race, I doubt they would even lift a finger to help us human"
Roderic's words hung heavy in the air, the implications with a deep but obvious meaning.
The grandeur of the palace, with its opulent décor and imposing architecture, felt suddenly inadequate in the face of such an unprecedented threat.
"Though," Roderic continued, his eyes—once filled with the heavy burden of the empire—softened slightly as if a portion of that weight had been lifted. "It is not without some good news."
His voice, though still commanding, took on a softer tone that resonated across the throne room. "We, the human race, now have a venerable that has taken action for the first time after so many years. We are no longer a lower race among the many races out there."
A smile of relief spread across Roderic's face.
'Except for that woman and the ancestor, this should be the third venerable that exists in the human race as of now' Roderic silently thought within at the back of his mind.
Sirius, lifting his gaze, nodded vigorously. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Though the venerable's initial appearance was somewhat reckless, her nature of protection over humanity remains evident. Despite the devastation caused, her actions have ultimately safeguarded us"
"Then..." Roderic continued, his tone tinged with doubt and a hint of confusion. "After the battle, did the venerable say anything? If possible, we need to know her exact location. For now, she is a beacon for us, the human race."
"I have already sent people to inquire about this issue, Your Majesty," Sirius responded, though a wry smile flickered across his face. "Alas, despite the effort... there were no signs of her whereabouts across the empire. Like the demon, she appeared and vanished as if by magic."
"I see..." Roderic's face showed a trace of regret, though he could only laugh lightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The thoughts of a venerable... who among us could ever hope to guess them?"
He straightened "Then, until next time, ensure that proper preparations are made for a potential meeting. Any sign of her appearance must be reported to me immediately. Even the use of the hyper gate is authorized—at all costs."
"I understand, Your Majesty," Sirius replied, bowing deeply.
As the meeting neared its conclusion, Sirius suddenly interjected. "Your Majesty, there is one more matter... the Church of the Light Divine, Almeria."
Roderic fell silent, his expression darkening as he contemplated this. After a moment, he spoke in a deep, contemplative tone. "That divine is... unclear. There are no records of her origin, and yet, somehow, the religion has taken root in this empire for the last hundred years. Whether Almeria is a human-divine vine or one from another race, no one can say for certain... But so far..."
Roderic hesitated, leaning back against the soft throne, his gaze distant as he stared toward the end of the grand hall. "That so-called divine has only shown kindness to us..."
The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken concerns and uncertainties. The presence of an unknown divine within the empire was both a blessing and a potential threat, its true nature yet to be revealed.
Roderic's mind weighed these uncertainties, knowing that in a world where gods and divines walked, the fate of humanity often hung on the delicate balance of power and trust.
"Keep a close watch on the Church of the Light Divine," Roderic finally commanded. "But for now, do nothing to provoke them. We need allies, not enemies, in these times."
"As you command, Your Majesty," Sirius acknowledged, before rising and taking his leave, leaving Roderic alone with his thoughts in the vast, silent throne room.
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