The Emperor'S Heir

Before time itself, two cosmic brothers shaped existence, one creating life, the other seeking to undo it. A primal struggle echoes through eternity, sealed by a sacrifice, yet weakening with every passing orbit. A prophecy whispers of a 'younger brother' destined to confront the ancient darkness once more.

The world ended, and from its ashes, a new society rose. One where strength was law, and the weak were nothing more than dust beneath the feet of the powerful. Malakai Von Sanguine was meant to be great, a direct descendant of one of the grand families of the dome, the Sanguine Clan. But at seven, he lost everything: his parents, his future, and his ability to evolve. Branded as worthless, his life became a living hell, forced to survive in a world where the unevolved were walking corpses. But fate wasn’t done with him yet. One fateful encounter changed everything. He evolved. What he acquired was something far beyond the limits of his clan, something most wouldn’t believe possible. A power that defied the very laws that governed their new society. Now, there is only one goal: revenge. The people who took everything from him… he will hunt them to the ends of the earth. He will burn their names from history and carve his vengeance into their very bones. No mercy. No forgiveness. No escape. They will die screaming. Or he will die trying. … Discord: https://discord.gg/8JthpjYZez

After a decade on the run, fleeing from a foreign King who would see his whole lineage exterminated, Dominic had nearly given up on ever having a normal life. But when he arrived in the Capital of Cygnia, where steam vehicles and Magitech had replaced traditional ways and old magics, he saw a chance to not only stop running, but perhaps get some vengeance for the fallen Dragonkin of the Wavemates Kingdom. However, fate has a way of making the simplest of dreams into something much more complex, as Dominic was about to learn firsthand. When Dragonkin and Bookworm Princesses meet, chaos is nearly guaranteed, and romantic sparks are bound to fly. (Intended to be read standalone, but set in the same multiverse as Reincarnated With a Summoning System and The First Legendary Beast Master) discord.gg/aokiaku #Fallen Prince #Royal Drama #dragon magic #manapunk #magitech

#Toxic Love #Obsession #Betrayal #Vengeance “Don’t blame me, Love. For it’s you who forced my hand.” In her entire lifetime, she had only loved and trusted one man. And that man, was the very person who had betrayed her and left her for another woman. === Riize was born a failure of a demon with no horn and visually impaired. Fortunately, miracles did exist and when it came to fall upon her, her pathetic life took a huge turn. She awakened her demonic abilities and even get herself a handsome lover! Riize thought that her life would be a path of flowers from that moment onwards, until the entirety of her bright future shattered upon her lover’s painful betrayal. Returning back to the useless demon she was once, Riize vowed to take revenge against that dog pair of a man and woman for cheating on her. But, with her powers now gone, would she be able to exact her revenge? What about the red-haired retriever who kept on professing his love for her at any chance? What exactly did the retriever want from her? Love? Hah. Riize had only one thing to say, “Utterly Ridiculous.” === Excerpt: “Tell me the truth. If I hadn’t took the gamble and broke your trust, would you still stay by my side, even if you found out that I was never the person you thought to be?” His cold voice quivered at the very end as if his entire being was on the verge of falling apart. Riize clutched her fingers, not daring to raise her eyes as she was afraid that her strong resolution would crumble the moment she saw his miserable state. “Yes.” Her voice was firm, leaving no space for doubt to bloom. “I wouldn’t have left as for the least, for once at that time, I had come to love you not because of whatever you are in the past but because, I learnt to embrace your shortcomings and desire you for whoever you are.” === [WARNING: SUGGESTIVE CONTENTS, MILD DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE?]

Qin Shi Huang tore China apart to forge an empire and defied the heavens for eternal life, only to awaken two millennia later in the body of a puppet emperor, with his new empire on the verge of collapse. Now, armed with his ancient ambition and a terrifying new power, he will not just save his nation—he will finish the conquest he started and bring the entire world to its knees.

Son of a bitch! I just finished this godawful fantasy novel, and now I'm knee-deep in it – as David, the disgraced son of the Solarian Empire's top general! Talk about some twisted cosmic joke. But hold on a damn minute... maybe this isn't all bad. Armed with the knowledge of that trashy plot, I can become the ultimate shadow player, an overlord perhaps. Screw the damsel-in-distress harem too – it's time to pull the strings and become the real power behind the throne. This isekai might be a steaming pile, but I'm rewriting the ending with a little more... Debauchery (wink wink). [Warning: Mature content R-18 ] My tags: Smart Mc - Harem - Milf Hunter- Op Mc - Cold and cunning Mc - edgy-Op-Mc, NO YURI, smut- romance-massacre. Gifts: Massage Chair: unlocks 1 bonus chapter. Luxury Car: Unlocks 2 bonus chapters. Dragon: Unlocks 3 bonus chapter. Magic Castle: Unlocks 5 bonus chapters within a week! Space Craft: Unlocks 10 bonus chapters within a week! Golden Gachapon: Unlocks 15 bonus chapters within a week! Reviews: let's get to 30 reviews soon: unlocks 3 bonus chapters! (7/30) The number within the brackets at the end represents the number of reviews and how many left to unlock bonus chapters! Show some love and happy reading ლ(◉‿◉ ლ)

“I, Alpha Kael Nightmoor, reject you, Lyra Duskbane, as my mate.” Those were the words that shattered her—and awakened her destiny. On her 18th birthday, Lyra Duskbane was ready to find her fated mate and finally feel like she belonged. But the moment her eyes met Alpha Kael’s, he publicly rejected her without mercy—labeling her unworthy, weak, and cursed. Broken and humiliated, Lyra flees her pack, unaware that her pain has triggered something ancient within her. Marked by a crescent moon since birth, Lyra is more than just an omega—she is the last bloodline of the Moon Goddess herself. As she unlocks powers no wolf has ever possessed and trains with a hidden rogue faction loyal to her ancestry, Lyra transforms into a force the supernatural world feared for centuries: a Moon-Blessed Heir. When she returns—strong, mysterious, and unrecognizable—Kael’s world begins to unravel. His wolf craves her. His soul aches. But it might be too late. A war brews between the packs. A forbidden prophecy stirs. And a second mate bond begins to form… one that could destroy everything Lyra thought she knew about love, fate, and power. --- This story is for you if you love: Rejected mates with regret Strong, magical heroines Alpha drama and steamy tension Glow-ups, love triangles, and destiny Hidden powers and pack wars Will she forgive the one who broke her? Or embrace the darkness within and rise as the Queen she was born to be?

Time had run out. Azrael hadn't been chosen by the system, leaving him Forsaken with no hope for a prosperous life. But he wasn’t going to let it end like this. Even if it meant trading his life for a single chance, he would take it. It was either a life of greatness, one where he would reach the very top… or a short one, dying here, unmourned and forgotten by a cursed world that never cared he existed. “An early end in pursuit of greatness sounds better than a slightly longer one filled with stagnation and regret.” In the end, all the things he had done hadn’t been for naught. The sacrifices up until now had been worth it. [Inborn Trait activated] [System devoured] [Inborn Trait is fusing with the system] [Devouring System has been granted] To his surprise, however, his system proved to be far more extraordinary than the others, granting him a unique path that only he could follow. With that realization, one thing became certain: no matter what monster or human stood in his way, he would reach the very top of the hierarchy, regardless of the cost.

WSA 2025 ENTRY Kael Voss was born cursed. The last son of Hades. The only pure demigod of the underworld. Abandoned. Forgotten—just like his father. All he ever wanted was a quiet life. To be left alone. To escape the reach of gods who saw him not as a person but as a threat to Olympus. Then one day, he was dragged into the Heraion Academy by a stranger named Orion—thrown into a world of ancient rivalries and buried secrets. A place where demigods are trained to become heroes or sacrificed trying. A place where even being recognized by the gods comes with a price. Even there, Kael tried to make the best of it. Tried to find peace. But peace was never written into this story. I was inspired by the Percy Jackson series. I’m not saying this is the best story out there—but for my first novel, I’m proud of the work.

(Mature Content 18+ No rape) “When vengeance is all she has left, why does his touch make her burn?” Two thousand years ago, the Kingdom of Devana fell to a heavenly curse. Princess Rosaline, sealed underground by her father, survived but woke to a world that had forgotten her and her people’s sins. Now immortal, she lives quietly among humans, plotting to destroy the heavens that condemned her. Until she meets Adam Black her new CEO, the enigmatic vampire who seems to know exactly who she is and what she hides. He claims to be the son of her father’s chief general, a boy she barely remembers, but who has been hunting her across centuries. Their fates, bound by prophecy, collide in a game of power, desire, and retribution. Can she trust him to help her unlock the powers she’s long suppressed, or is he just another predator waiting to consume her? "When love and vengeance are bound by a curse, who will break first — the immortal princess or the vampire prince?" A dark fantasy romance of forbidden love, curses, and revenge.

Abandoned by The great Veylor Clan, Alex watched monsters slaughter his father and little sister in a forgotten village near Romania City. Alex, a kind-hearted boy, was born into brutal world where elemental power reigns supreme—the strong are gods, and the weak are destined to be crushed. In a world ravaged by an eternal war between humanity and monsters, betrayal and grief begin to shape Alex into something new—something darker. Will Alex conquer his loneliness and rise to protect the world? Or will he be consumed by hatred, awaken the forbidden power, and destroy the very world that stole everything from him? If you like: >Dark academies >Betrayal arcs >Antihero MCs >Magic, monsters, and hidden pasts >Then this story is for you. Extra Tags: #Drama #Romance #Betrayal #Revenge #Antihero #LossOfLovedOnes #MagicAcademy

Alessia Bianchi has survived ten years in silence, bound to the Morano crime family to repay her late father’s mysterious debt. But when her service nears its end, a new chain is fastened around her neck, marriage to Luca Morano, the family’s feared and volatile heir. Luca is every bit the monster they warned her about: powerful, merciless, and dangerously captivating. He’s known for breaking rules and women. But when his obsession with Alessia ignites, so does something unexpected… desire, protection, and a hunger to possess her completely. Torn between her loyalty to a lost love and the storm Luca awakens inside her, Alessia discovers her fate was never hers to escape. Buried deep in her memory lies a secret her father died to protect an encrypted weapon that could eliminate the Atlan Syndicate and crown the Moranos kings of the underworld. But claiming that power means choosing a side, losing herself in the process and even loosing Luca's soul. As war erupts, loyalties fracture, and blood stains white silk, Alessia must decide: Will she give herself to a man born of darkness… Will Luca ever truly love her without possessing her? What if the very secrets hold were the reason her father died? Will Lorenzo rise again not as her saviour but as her enemy? Or rise from the ashes of her past and take control of a world that tried to silence her?

"Evil in all civilizations is known—agreed upon—as something to be eradicated, for good always triumphs. But what if I told you evil is manufactured, not born? That a civilization crafted evil to create to be the world's hero? This civilization is Egypt—mother of all—who birthed Set: the ultimate evil and ultimate protector. I am heir to this evil... and this story's hero. Made to protect the world... or was the world made for me? No matter. Forget 'heroes rising from darkness'—here, darkness rises from heroes. The end begins: Egypt's secrets will unravel, the world's illusion will shatter. Gates to other realms, monsters, a bizarre energy system will change everything. The pyramids? Not tombs, but prisons sealing what existed before gods. Welcome to Egypt's truths—or lies? Every war, every revolution in history? Just moves in Egypt's ancient game. The smallest detail? Planned. So tell me: Am I in this game? Are you? Are you sure you're not trapped in this illusion? Do you truly know yourself? This is my story's world—and I won't appear until after Chapter 33. So read... and when you reach Chapter 33, remember: Did you choose to read... or were you chosen? I'll be waiting. Despair not—the best auction item comes last. When I appear? Don't lose your nerve. Love me or kill me—I am the World's Masterpiece. Savior or destroyer? I don't know. The truth? I don't know mine either. So explore... while I enjoy this life. You'll be this thrill's victim—whether you like it or not. I don't care. I am the chaos. P.S. Even the AI helping translate this can't craft a story like mine."

The **Lóngxīa Empire** rots. Emperor Feng drowns in decadence and fear, oblivious to the whispers of returning powers. At the empire's decaying heart resides **Prince Yan Ling** – a figure of ridicule and dread. Born the night the celestial **Jade Heaven Dynasty** fell, his stark white hair and frail, prematurely aged body mark him as the cursed **"Child of the Shattered Star,"** blamed for his mother's death and the empire's decline. Confined to a crumbling pavilion, he paints landscapes ignored by the court. But Yan Ling's art is a lie. He is the **Nightless Blade**, the fallen architect of the **Great Suppression**. Three centuries ago, to prevent cosmic annihilation, he shattered his godlike power, scorched his meridians, and bound the world's memory of Qi and immortals within **Nine Suppression Scrolls**, paying with his vitality and sanity. His paintings are not idle hobbies; they are seals, patching the cracks in reality, containing echoes of a forgotten, violent past. Each stroke costs him fragments of his dwindling life. 'The mortal emperor hidden sword' is a tale of gothic eastern fantasy, where the brushstrokes of a dying artist hold back the tides of chaos, the weight of forgotten history crushes the present, and the deepest bonds are those forged in silence and sealed in ink. It explores the cost of salvation, the burden of memory, and the fragile beauty cultivated in the shadow of thorns.

Meng Wenyao never expected death to be just the beginning. Awakened in a strange new world with a mysterious system that demands she bear heirs to survive, she’s thrust into the brutal dance of palace politics — but this time, she’s playing by her own rules. From icy emperors haunted by betrayal to poisoned thrones and shadowy conspiracies, each life she enters challenges her wit and resolve. With no permanent lover to tie her down, she moves like a ghost through realms, wielding charm, cunning, and the power of new life. Can a woman, armed with nothing but a system and iron will, rewrite fate — or will the throne’s poison claim her before her legacy begins?

strong main character, who actually kills his enemy, lots of courting death. story about the guy name Ron who is now transported into world of immortal's.

I was reincarnated into a body doomed to die. A disgraced heir. A forgotten name. A villain fated to fall. I know how this story ends— Because I read it. Kael Thorne was never meant to survive. Not in the book. Not in this world. Now I live in his place, carrying his shame, his exile, and the weight of a future I already know will collapse. My only goal? Survive. No glory. No revenge. No destiny. If I can make it to the end… maybe I’ll find a way to change it. Note: This is an improved remake of my original novel “Reincarnated into Darkness: The Villain’s Return.”

(Matured Content-No rape) “She was promised to a prince. But taken by a monster who calls himself king.” In a realm ruled by blood and empire, twenty-four kingdoms bow to one throne — and at the center of it sits Emperor Zareth Ravaryn, a vampire older than most dynasties, cold as obsidian, and feared as much as he is obeyed. Princess Serenya of Vayrana was never meant to catch his eye. Gentle. Devoted. Already betrothed to the human prince she loved from afar. But one imperial ceremony changed everything. When the Emperor sees her — veiled in gold, eyes full of light — he names her his future Empress. She refuses. He doesn’t ask twice. Now torn from her homeland and chained in silk and duty, Serenya finds herself in a court of shadows, where power is worn like perfume and secrets drip from every whispered bow. But Zareth is not just the monster she feared. He is obsessed. And his obsession doesn’t break... it consumes. As the blood empire trembles under rebellion, forbidden longing ignites between captive and captor, and the girl who once dreamt of love must decide: Will she fight for her freedom— or burn for his throne? Dark fantasy meets imperial seduction in this slow-burn vampire romance — with original lore, dangerous rituals, forbidden love, and a heroine who was never meant to kneel. Welcome to the Empire of Thorns. Where love is a game only monsters win. #bookone of The Empire of Thorns series --- Excerpt. A man stood before her. Not just any man. The man. Eyes like twin flames. Lips curled into a knowing smirk. A voice like thunder dipped in velvet. "And who might you be, little dove?" Zareth purred. Serenya's heart slammed against her ribs. "I-I'm... I was just—" "Lost?" he finished for her, his tone mocking yet oddly amused. She nodded, clutching her veil tighter. His eyes trailed down the curve of her figure, and then back to her eyes. "You're not from around here," he said, though he already knew. "I'm from Vayrana," she managed, voice barely above a whisper. His grin widened. "That explains the veil. So well-behaved. So sweet." He stepped closer, and she instinctively backed up—until her back hit the wall. "Running off alone into a palace full of monsters... either you're braver than you look, or dumber," he drawled, eyes gleaming. Her eyes widened at the insult, but something in his tone kept her frozen. "I didn't mean to be disrespectful—" "Oh, but you weren't," he interrupted. "In fact, you've just made this entire evening… interesting." He reached out, adjusting the edge of her veil with a gentleness that contradicted his deadly aura. "What's your name, dove?" She hesitated. "Your name," he repeated, voice darker now. "I don't ask twice." "Serenya," she whispered. He leaned in, mouth brushing close to her ear. "Serenya," he repeated, tasting it. "Pretty name. Suits you." Then, as quickly as he came, he stepped back. The moment shattered. "Go on now, little dove. Before your father comes searching."

treated worthless in his own clan and people, a powerless boy lives like a loser in a world ruled by magic and nobility. With no attributes, no magic, and no title, he’s treated as nothing more than an NPC in his own life. His only light—his girlfriend—abandons him for a powerful noble who is going to become a top and poweful person, crushing what little hope he had left. But fate doesn’t forget. When a forgotten curse awakens in his bloodline, he rises not as a hero... but as vengeance reborn. This time, he won’t just chase justice—he’ll rewrite the world’s rules.

Seven years ago, the Kingdom of Songrin burned. Once a marvel of mechanical brilliance, ruled by the fierce and fair Mechans Aiden and Moira, Songrin fell into ruin when their throne was seized in a brutal coup. On the night of their assassination, their only daughter, Princess Zora, was critically wounded. Refusing to let her die with them, her parents sealed her inside an underground bunker, entrusting her broken body to their most loyal and brilliant Mechan—a master cyborg constructor bound by oath and circuitry. They didn’t just save her life. They rewired it. Now, Zora awakens from a regeneratory sleep meant to last twenty years—but something has triggered her return too soon. Half human, half machine, with no memory beyond her last scream, she emerges into a kingdom twisted by corruption, cruelty, and the reign of the man who destroyed her family: Horam. Haunted by the dream of her parents’ torture and the chilling words of the man who wanted to make her his slave-bride, Zora opens her eyes in the darkness. Her body may be repaired, but her heart is broken—and her fury is just beginning. As questions flood her waking mind, the Top Mechan reveals the truth: it's been seven years since the fall of Songrin. The world she knew is gone. But her destiny is not. Zora must navigate a realm ruled by violent duels, iron laws, and bleeding circuits. She must uncover what became of her mother, and reclaim her right to rule—but first, she must become more than a girl who once dreamed of vengeance. She must become a weapon. The revolution begins when she wakes. Hi Lovely readers. I really hope you'll enjoy this book and be a part of its growth by reading and engaging with me through comments. It's my first book and I'm thrilled to share it with you all.

(Chapters 1 to 40 are being edited right now) (Note: Reading Prologue is not necessary, hence why it's an Auxiliary Chapter) The Path to Immortality is elusive, and everyone wants to achieve it even if there's only a glimmer of hope. Tian Yongheng is a person who regained his past life memories after his family was brutally slaughtered. His extreme fear of death and desire to be undying have forced him to step onto this dangerous path of Immortal Cultivation. He is not a Chosen One who is the favored son of heavens, nor is he the reincarnation of a Great Emperor. Armed with a unique system of unknown origins and his obsession with immortality, he sets forth to carve a way of his own in this world where fate toys with one's very existence itself and cosmic horror-like beings devour universes for fun. However, can he really touch the illusory, eternal and ethereal Immortal Dao that is everlasting and everchanging? Will he ever be able to reach the end of this grand path to eternity, establishing himself as a myth and beyond? or will he also drown in the long river of history just like many others? ------- The background settings and world building of this story are greatly inspired by Top Tier Providence, Secretly Cultivate for a Thousand Years. the main characters are also pretty similar, so if you like stories where the MC is a hidden powerhouse who, despite being hidden, is still known across the world, then you can give it a try. Please be patient while reading, as this is my first time writing a novel and don't hesitate to point out any mistakes I do in the comments. Also, I'm not a native of China, so there are probably going to be a lot of mistakes in names and history and stuff, please bear with it. Note: English is not my first language and the cover image is not mine.

[{WPC MAY 2025 ENTRY}] (C) 2025 D_Phantom1 Production Kai was just your average broke, depressed high school dropout—until the Mafia chased him down and he got shot. Tough luck, right? Well, not exactly. Next thing he knows, he's waking up in a penthouse bed as Tony Bellingham—the insanely rich, ridiculously handsome heir to Bellingham Industries. Now Kai (er, Tony?) is stuck living a life of luxury, with private chefs, shady butlers, secret pasts, and girls who may or may not want to ruin him. With each day, the mystery deepens—who really was Tony? Why do people around him act so weird? And what’s up with Clara, the gorgeous "friend" who seems a little too curious? On this road, he makes new friends, allies and enemies, maybe even gets his own system! And superpower!!!! All Kai wants is to survive this wild second chance, not fall in love, not get exposed, and definitely not get murdered again. But hey—being rich is kinda cool.

In a world ruled by five powerful clans, each blessed by ancient gods and dragons, Kael is the forgotten bastard son of the Fire Clan’s ruthless leader. When betrayal ends his life during a war that threatens the continent, Kael is granted a second chance—reborn years before the fall. Armed with forbidden knowledge, a fractured past, and powers that defy divine law, he begins his journey to uncover secrets, forge unexpected alliances, and exact vengeance. But as Kael rises, so do ancient demons, and the line between hero and monster begins to blur. Can he change fate, protect the ones he loves, and survive the wrath of the gods? A tale of action, fantasy, romance, and time regression—Heir of Ashes is a gripping saga of power, redemption, and destiny

After disappearing for five years, Javon Forger returns from prison—not as the failed, spoiled son he once was, but as a living weapon forged by a secret cultivation technique. He finds his father missing, his family's company on the brink of ruin, and enemies at every turn. His newfound power is immediately tested as he must defend his family name from rapacious business rivals. At his lowest point, Javon is viciously betrayed by his fiancée, Aleesha Edelweis, who casts him aside for a more powerful man and reneges on a crippling debt that was his last hope. With his honor trampled, help arrives from an unexpected source: Sherly, his ex-fiancée's paralyzed cousin. In a startling sacrifice, Sherly offers to marry Javon herself, upholding a promise her own family has long forgotten. Now, bound by an unexpected marriage, Javon wages a war on two fronts. He must protect his fragile yet resolute new ally while unravelling the vast corporate conspiracy behind his father's disappearance—a mystery with roots stretching back to a vow he made in his dark prison cell, suggesting his downfall was no accident.

After tragedy strikes his remote village, nine-year-old Kieran sets out on a journey to the capital, carrying only his training, his father's legacy, and a fire burning in his chest. With his home in ruins and his family lost, Kieran’s dream of joining the magical academy becomes something more—a vow to rebuild his house and honor the man who raised him. Follow Kieran as he navigates the dangers of politics and power on his journey to restore what once was.

In a powerful ancient empire, the Emperor's son is born with a twin — an omen of disaster. To protect the imperial bloodline and maintain the prophecy of a single heir, the second child is secretly cast away and declared stillborn. But the abandoned twin doesn’t die. He is raised in the shadows by a mysterious guardian who teaches him forbidden martial techniques, lost cultivation paths, and deadly arts of assassination. All his life, he’s told one thing: “Your brother has everything that should have been yours — your name, your fate, your throne. Take it back.” On his 18th birthday, he dies protecting a small village from a demonic invasion… only to wake up in the past, on the night he was abandoned. Now, with future knowledge, hidden powers, and memories of betrayal, he infiltrates the palace — not as an enemy, but as a shadow servant close to his brother. But things aren't what they seem. His twin brother isn't the spoiled, cruel emperor-in-training he expected. Secrets about their birth, the empire, and the origin of their bloodline begin to unravel.

After dying a ridiculous death in the modern world (he was run over by a girl fleeing a wild boar), Kaito Yagami is reincarnated as none other than the crown prince of the Demon Realm, son of the feared Demon King. But he's not a bloodthirsty warrior, nor a ruthless conqueror. He's... lazy. Lazy, perverted, peace-loving, and only cares about sleeping, eating, and—maybe—flirting a little. Carrying the forbidden ability [Devourer], capable of absorbing the powers of any creature he consumes, Kaito also possesses within himself the Seven Deadly Sins, sealed by mystical chains that threaten to destroy his sanity if broken. Oh, and worst of all? His mother, sisters, and even his aunt are beautiful, powerful... and completely in love with him. Between conflicts with sacred heroes, demonic politics, magical chains, legendary monsters, and extremely embarrassing situations at home, Kaito only wants to know one thing: "Is it possible to save the world... without getting out of bed?"

Valerie transmigrated into a novel as Anastasia who has to fight for the position of the empress. She is forced to impersonate her sister Guinevere just to survive. The tried to avoid the Emperor but ends us been bounded to him by fate