Chapter 1: The Primordial Council
As the new Primordial Merchant, Akira quickly learned that his ascension came with responsibilities. A meeting of the Primordial Council—a gathering of the universe's most powerful entities—was called to assess his rise.
The council included beings like the Primordial Weaver, who controlled the threads of fate, the Eternal Arbiter, who maintained the balance of laws, and the Chaos Sovereign, who delighted in destabilizing order.
"You've risen too fast," the Arbiter said, her gaze piercing. "Commerce unchecked can upset the equilibrium of realms."
"Power invites envy," the Chaos Sovereign sneered. "How long before your rivals tear you down?"
Akira, ever the negotiator, responded calmly. "Commerce isn't about power; it's about connection. I can balance the realms better than any of you because trade touches every corner of existence."
The council agreed to test him. If he failed, his realm—and his existence—would be forfeit.