The imperial palace stood as a beacon of power and authority, it's towering spires pierced the very heavens. Constructed from gleaming obsidian alloys, it was a fortress and symbol of the Empires Indomitable will. Within its grand halls, adorned with banners and mosaics depicting historical conquests, the fate of galaxies was decided. This was the heart of the Empire, where the mighty Gladius Zephrenk ruled with wisdom and strength. The man towered in his throne, carved from exotic space minerals, broad and brawn the Emperor sat proudly. His aura was unyielding, exuberating the very essence of what power felt like. His face, covered with a tattered cloth which seemed as if It was picked from the floor. The cloth dawned many eyes symbolizing the Emperor's obsession with the deity "All-mir". An all seeing being, the God of Truth. Yet beneath the calm exterior lay a mind, frequently anticipating the chess game of politics of war.
The palace doors swing open, a decrepit fat creature which could not walk, Sylvian Oryril appeared. His bloated, misshapen body was permanently suspended in the air via a mechanical spine fastened to his upper back. With every movement, small slug like glue dripped off the creature. Unlike others, he did not kneel in front of the Emperor.
"Sylvian, what is it you require? I have a meeting with the "Hand" now." Gladius' voice echoed throughout the gold plated hall.
Sylvian ignored Gladius, and slyly nodded towards an accompanying guard who immediately burst into flames, his screams boomed across the hall as his body was slowly consumed. The room filled with smoke and chaos, yet Gladius remained steadfast. A slight smirk appeared on Gladius' face before erupting into laughter.
"Is something funny, Emperor?" Sylvian dribbled.
"It's nothing, Sylvian. I just thought that the Minister of Operation wouldn't be as foolish as to challenge the very hand that feeds him."
Another guard exploded into flames, and Sylvian, confident in his actions nodded again. This time, Eathaje Oryril, Sylvian's accomplice, moved swiftly. Plunging his sword deep into the Emperors back.
"Get Back!" Gladius snarled, casting Eathaje backward with a powerful force. The rooms temperature seemed to extinguish as the tension filled the air.
"Amazing, my body moved without a thought! SO THIS IS YOUR MAGNIFICENT POWER... GLADIUS!" A smirk crawled over Eathaje's face as he licked the blade clean of Gladius' blood.
"Shit, I can only use the Vocal a couple more times and Eathaje clearly has the advantage when it comes to speed. I'll have to bait him out, time his loose footing." Gladius thought.
Eathaje with a blade shimmering menacingly, lunges towards Gladius, his attacks come swift and relentless. A flurry of slashes meant to overwhelm the Emperor, however Gladius a seasoned warrior remains poised.
With each slash Gladius adapted, easily deflecting the attempts at his life with the jewelry of his outfit. The clang of metal against metal fills Sylvian's' ears.
"We have to win this! EATHAJE, DO ANYTHING TO BEAT HIM OR WE'RE DEAD!" Sylvian thought
Eathaje's frustration grows, his swings more desperate and wild. But Gladius' focus doesn't waver. His movements are fluid, almost dance-like, as he anticipates each move. He uses minimal effort, conserving energy while ensuring no strike breaches his defense.With a deft spin, Gladius parries a particularly vicious thrust, twisting Eathaje's blade off its trajectory. He counters with a swift, controlled strike to the side, aimed not to wound but to assert dominance."Heh" Gladius mocks.Eathaje's blood boils, His muscles tensed, and with a primal scream, he pushed his speed beyond its natural limits. His movements became a blur, faster than the eye could follow."ENOUGH OF THIS!" His voice hollowed. Gladius, though a master of combat, found himself momentarily overwhelmed by the sudden increase in speed. Eathaje's blade danced around him, a whirlwind of lethal intent. Gladius managed to deflect most of the strikes, but the sheer ferocity of the assault began to take its toll.Eathaje's blade finally found its mark, slicing through Gladius' hamstring. Blood poured as Gladius, with his last ounce of strength, uttered the command to close his wounds."Who's laughing now?!" Eathaje taunted."CLOSE." Gladius commanded.Blood gushed from Gladius' lips, "Shit, I don't think I can go on any longer.""What's wroooooong Emperor?" Eathaje mocked. Eathaje punts Gladius' side, causing agonizing pain."Eathaje, that's enough the man has already suffered enough managing this Empire, take him to a cell and we'll move onto securing the whole empire as our own." Gladius immobile body, cast onto the shoulders of the victor Eathaje to be sent to a cell to rot before his execution.CHAPTER END