The Core World of the Astralis Empire did not announce itself with sound.
It announced itself with scale.
As the imperial cruiser emerged from fold-space, the stars ahead seemed to rearrange themselves, bending into vast, concentric arcs that framed a single celestial body at the center. The Core World did not orbit a star. The star orbited it.
Vahn stood at the forward observation deck, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the sight before him. Even he, who had seen realms collapse and continents bow, felt a moment of stillness settle in his chest.
The planet was immense. Far larger than any world under Crimson Hawk's dominion. Its surface glowed with layered illumination, not from cities alone, but from entire strata of civilization stacked vertically into the sky.
