The Veyris Empire had returned to its strange balance once again.
Floating cities drifted peacefully.
Dragons slept upon celestial mountains.
Kaelignis practiced quietly with her Sovereign Eclipse Blade.
Wukong was still insisting he had done absolutely nothing wrong.
Then
the atmosphere changed.
Not violently.
Not with fear.
But with weight.
Athena stood in the center of the imperial hall.
No smile.
No casual expression.
Her six massive celestial shield-wings rotated slowly behind her.
The living armor around her body shifted softly, forming layered dragon-like plates before returning to normal.
Around her sat Kael Veyris' family.
Seraphina.
Ignisia.
Lilith.
Umbryssia.
Nxy.
Kaelignis.
And many others.
Kael sat quietly upon his throne.
Watching.
Athena finally spoke.
...A war is coming.
Silence spread through the hall.
Not panic.
Attention.
Wukong stopped eating.
...That doesn't sound good.
Athena's molten-gold eye glowed faintly.
...This is not a war of kingdoms.
...Not a war of worlds.
...Not even a war of dimensions.
Her crimson eye burned brighter.
...It is a war of authority.
The hall grew quieter.
Lilith narrowed her eyes.
...Authority over what?
Athena looked toward everyone.
...Over who defines reality itself.
Even Kaelignis looked serious now.
Athena raised her hand.
A projection formed above the hall.
Countless endless layers appeared:
Stories upon stories.
Frameworks beyond frameworks.
Laws surrounding realities.
Infinite structures stacked beyond comprehension.
Then
shadows began spreading through them.
Slowly consuming entire sections.
...Unknown factions are gathering, Athena said calmly.
...Ancient entities.
...Forgotten rulers.
...Beings that believe existence itself should belong to them.
Ignisia crossed her arms.
Dragonfire flickered around her.
...Then they can come.
Athena looked at her.
...Confidence is good.
...But understand this.
...They aren't coming because they think they can win.
Her eyes slowly shifted toward Kael.
...They're coming because they're afraid.
Everyone looked at Kael Veyris.
Kael simply sat there.
Silent.
Calm.
Nxy blinked.
...Afraid of him?
Athena nodded slowly.
...No.
A pause.
...Afraid of all of you.
Silence.
Kaelignis looked around the room.
At her mother.
At Lilith.
At Kael.
At everyone gathered there.
Then she smiled slightly.
...Then they'll probably regret it.
Wukong grinned.
...Now THAT sounds like a Veyris family answer.
Kael finally spoke.
His voice was calm.
...Prepare if necessary.
...But continue living normally.
Athena blinked.
...That's your response?
Kael looked toward the distant stars beyond the hall.
...War has not arrived yet.
...Today is still peaceful.
For a moment
Athena simply stared at him.
Then unexpectedly
she smiled.
...I understand now.
Far beyond the Veyris Empire
something ancient opened its eyes.
And for the first time in countless ages
it felt uncertainty.