Core Worlds – Sector 001 – Earth (Earthen Galactic Empire Capital World) 

I have been a faithful soldier of the Empire. I have led her armies to a hundred worlds and achieved significant victories for the Imperial Throne. I have devoted all my youth, forgotten friends and family, and encountered near-death experiences more times than I can count. 

All for the glory of the emperor. 

Yet this was my reward. 

The iron chains were uncomfortably tight around my wrists. My hands had grown numb. They did not give me shoes, and I had to suffer the chill of the marble floors on the soles of my feet. The cheap fabric of a prisoner's clothes caused itchiness, and I could not scratch all over my skin. 

The guards pushed me as if I were a common criminal, as if I hadn't achieved accomplishments they could not dream of achieving even with a thousand lifetimes. The crowd cheered as I was dragged to the podium, facing the wigged and powdered, stern-faced judges. 

"General Eryndor Stormlord, is there anything you want to say before you are sentenced?" 

The judges presiding consisted of three humans, two thalorians, an andrii, and a khast. Twice was the humiliation of being judged by lesser and weaker races. 

A large part of the reason for my victories was because of my all-elvish legions. Elvish soldiers were better marksmen, more durable, and smarter. We had overcome being outnumbered more than 100 to 1 on numerous occasions. Some campaigns were outright one-sided massacres. 

If it were not for the core codex being in human hands, a coalition of elvish princes would easily overthrow the human emperor. 

But I never harbored treason in my mind. Tiberius, Cassius, Gaius, and Aristides… emperors I had served in my 100-year career, were wise and just. Worthy rulers despite their lowly race. 

Until the current emperor, Alexios, who was decadent and weak. He let the lying, scheming tongue of his advisers convince him that House Stormlord was scheming his overthrow. I was willing to go as far as going to Earth without my armies, to plead my case on bended knees. 

That was my mistake. They imprisoned me upon arrival before I could speak a word before the imperial throne. I was thrown into an empty, cold cell and detained for days. Before I knew it, I was being delivered to a courtroom. 

"Take that smug look off your face, Erol. Who do you think you are? You have done nothing for this emp-" I had to stop as the crowd grew louder, and a fruit hit me on the head. 

"I have taken tens of worlds, all by myself. You should be kneeling for me… kissing my feet," as more projectiles hit me, I grew angrier. And at last, I could not hold my tongue. "You and your dolt of an Emperor!" 

Everything went silent as soon as they heard what I had said. I knew very well what consequences awaited those who insulted the ruler. But I was ready for whatever they had in store.

"See… he has just proven the charges himself. He is an elf who thinks elves should rule over the empire, an elf-supremacist… and guilty of high treason." 

"Lies! Why would I even come here to plead with the emperor if that was my inten-" 

The sound of the gavel interrupted my response. The smirking Erol took on a more serious expression. 

"This is the will of the emperor. You are hereby stripped of your military rank and your noble title, and access to the codices." 

[Receiving Orders from the Codex Juris of the Earthen Galactic Empire Codex Imperium….] 

[The Codex Juris has stripped you of your military rank ] 

[You have been stripped of access to the Codex Militaris of the Earthen Galactic Empire Codex Imperium] 

[You have been stripped of access to the Codex Bellum of the Earthen Galactic Empire Codex Imperium] 

[The Codex Juris has stripped you of your noble rank ] 

[You have been stripped of access to the Codex Administratum of the Earthen Galactic Empire Codex Imperium] 

[You have been stripped of access to the Codex Aedificii of the Earthen Galactic Empire Codex Imperium] 

[You have been stripped of access to the Codex Tributorum of the Earthen Galactic Empire Codex Imperium] 

[You have been stripped of access to the Codex Exploratoris of the Earthen Galactic Empire Codex Imperium] 

[There is no remaining accessible codex] 

[Interface shutting down…] 

The green floating windows of the interface disappeared, and I didn't expect to see it ever again. That meant I could no longer raise legions, build infrastructure, or govern. A dead man would have no need of it. The generalship and the headship of House Stormlord would likely be handed over to a more agreeable relative. 

"Furthermore, you and the entirety of House Stormlord, and everyone who wants to follow you…" 

For the first time, I was surprised. If they had any shred of honor left… they would imprison or kill me and disband my legions… but they would not touch my family. That would be too outrageous, too severe, and unprecedented. 

"…will be exiled to a world in the outer rim," the gavel punctuated the sentence as the crowd cheered. 

For a moment, I froze. I could not believe what I was hearing. After all that I had done… to be treated this way… the former emperors would weep for my plight. 

"No- Have you no honor!" I shouted as they dragged me out of the room. I was enraged, but I almost begged for mercy. I would not sink that low, and I knew it was useless since the judgment had been made. Still, I was tempted.

Without access to the codices, to be sent to the untamed lands of the fringes of the galactic empire was no different than a death sentence. By exiling me and my entire house, they had decided to end my bloodline. 

This cannot stand. The heavens cannot permit this. I had been betrayed. It was folly after all, to let the race of men rule. 

"I will kill you," I screamed, trying and failing to overpower the guards. "… you and all of mankind."