The Egyptian Pantheon had welcomed countless visitors throughout its long history.
Kings had arrived bearing gifts. Heroes had entered seeking blessings. Powerful gods from distant realms had come to negotiate treaties, challenge Ra, or argue about ancient territorial disputes.
However, nobody in Aaru had ever received an imperial delegation quite like this one.
It began with a letter.
Neferet stood inside the central palace, reading the elegant black-and-gold document for the third time.
"His Imperial Majesty, Kael Veyris, Emperor of the Veyris Empire, sends his greetings to the Egyptian Pantheon," she read aloud. "In accordance with our recently established alliance, he shall dispatch royal envoys and Imperial Knights to formalize diplomatic relations, exchange records, and offer assistance with the restoration of ancient sanctuaries."
Ra nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. A proper diplomatic ceremony. We shall prepare the Golden Hall, summon the temple guardians, and arrange a magnificent feast."
Sekhmet leaned against a pillar.
"You are more excited about the feast than the alliance."
"The feast is an important diplomatic tradition."
"You said the same thing yesterday about honey cakes."
"Food brings civilizations together!"
Isis sighed.
"Can we concentrate on the visitors?"
Anubis, standing beside the palace entrance, examined the letter.
"How many Imperial Knights are coming?"
Neferet checked the attached list.
"Three knights and four royal envoys."
Ra looked disappointed.
"Only three?"
Sekhmet grinned.
"Perhaps they heard about your cooking contest."
"My cooking was perfectly respectable!"
"Kael won."
"WE ARE NOT DISCUSSING THAT!"
Neferet folded the letter before the argument could grow any worse.
"Their arrival is scheduled for this morning. I suggest we receive them with the dignity appropriate to our alliance."
Ra straightened his golden crown.
"Agreed. Let Aaru show our allies that the Egyptian Pantheon knows how to welcome guests."
At that precise moment, a palace servant hurried into the hall.
"Your Majesties! The delegation has arrived!"
Everyone turned toward the enormous golden doors.
The ceremony was about to begin.
And none of them were prepared for how polite the strongest visitors would be.
A circular gateway opened above the palace courtyard.
It was not a violent rupture in space. There was no thunder, no destructive pressure, and no terrifying wave of magical energy.
Instead, crimson and gold light formed a beautiful archway, decorated with the emblem of the Veyris Empire.
Four royal envoys emerged first.
They wore elegant black uniforms with crimson trim, golden shoulder ornaments, and small insignias representing the Imperial Court. Each carried a sealed document case containing the alliance charter, diplomatic agreements, and records of the Veyris Empire's history.
Behind them came three Imperial Knights.
The first wore dark silver armor with crimson lines running across the chest. A long sword rested at his side, although its blade remained sheathed.
The second wore white-and-gold armor and carried a ceremonial spear.
The third was a tall woman with long midnight-blue hair, silver eyes, and black armor decorated with delicate golden patterns. A crimson cloak rested across her shoulders.
All three possessed an overwhelming presence.
For one brief moment, the divine guardians stationed around the courtyard felt something they could not easily describe.
It was not hostility.
It was the awareness that the newcomers possessed enough strength to overcome challenges that most gods would consider impossible.
Anubis quietly observed them.
These are Imperial Knights?
He had expected powerful warriors.
He had not expected them to conceal their power so completely that they seemed almost ordinary until one paid close attention.
The leading envoy stepped forward and bowed.
"On behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Kael Veyris, we offer our respectful greetings to the Egyptian Pantheon. We thank you for receiving our delegation."
Ra rose from his throne.
"Welcome to Aaru. Your arrival honors our alliance."
The envoy smiled.
"We are honored by your hospitality, Your Majesty."
The woman in black armor stepped forward next.
"I am Sir Elyra Voss, a Royal Imperial Knight of the Veyris Empire. I have been assigned to assist with security and any practical matters requested by our hosts."
She bowed politely.
The other knights introduced themselves as Sir Vaelor Thane and Sir Caedryn Sol.
None boasted about their abilities.
None demanded special privileges.
And none attempted to impress the assembled gods.
Sekhmet whispered to Isis, "I was expecting someone to challenge Ra to a duel."
Isis replied, "Please do not encourage that possibility."
Ra approached the delegation.
"Your Emperor speaks highly of cooperation. I hope his knights are as capable as the rumors suggest."
Sir Vaelor bowed.
"We will do our best to serve the purpose of this visit, Your Majesty."
Ra waited.
Vaelor remained silent.
Finally, Ra asked, "And what purpose is that?"
"To formalize the alliance, exchange diplomatic records, and assist your people where our assistance is welcome."
Sekhmet blinked.
"That is remarkably reasonable."
Sir Caedryn smiled.
"We have found that being helpful is generally more useful than being impressive."
For a moment, even Ra had nothing to say.
The diplomatic ceremony began in the Golden Hall.
The envoys presented the alliance charter, which confirmed mutual recognition between the Veyris Empire and the Egyptian Pantheon.
The agreement covered diplomatic communication, the exchange of historical knowledge, peaceful travel between their territories, emergency assistance, and cooperation in protecting vulnerable civilizations.
It also contained a clear statement.
Neither ally may claim ownership over the other, interfere with its lawful independence, or compel its people to serve the other's interests.
Neferet read the clause carefully.
"This reflects the principle of the First Covenant."
The leading envoy nodded.
"His Majesty specifically requested that this principle be included. He believes an alliance should strengthen the freedom of both parties, not diminish it."
Osiris looked impressed.
"Your Emperor understands the spirit of the Covenant."
"We believe he does," the envoy answered.
Once the documents had been signed, Ra gestured toward the courtyard.
"Perhaps we should allow our guests to see a little of Aaru. There are many wonders worth visiting."
"Gladly," Sir Elyra replied.
As the delegation crossed the palace grounds, they passed a training area where several divine guardians were practicing with enchanted weapons.
One guardian misjudged a strike.
His spear flew from his hands and struck a stone pillar.
The pillar cracked.
A golden training statue began to topple toward a group of young temple attendants.
Before anyone could react, Sir Caedryn moved.
He crossed the courtyard in a blur, caught the statue with one hand, and gently returned it to its pedestal.
The entire incident took less than a second.
The young attendants stared at him.
So did the divine guardians.
Caedryn carefully checked the statue for damage.
"Is everyone all right?"
The attendants nodded.
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Please be careful around the training grounds."
He turned to the guardian who had lost control of his spear.
"Your grip may be too tight. Try adjusting your stance before the next strike."
The guardian stared at him.
"You moved faster than I could perceive."
Caedryn smiled.
"I have had a great deal of practice."
Sekhmet folded her arms.
"That was not an ordinary movement."
"No, Lady Sekhmet."
"Could you repeat it?"
"If there is a reason to do so."
Sekhmet's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"And if I simply want to see how fast you are?"
Caedryn politely shook his head.
"Then I am afraid I would have to decline. We are guests here, and I would rather not turn your courtyard into a competition."
Isis covered a smile.
Ra looked at the knight with a mixture of surprise and reluctant respect.
For once, a powerful visitor had refused to show off without making the refusal sound insulting.
Later that afternoon, the delegation visited the eastern district of Aaru.
There stood an ancient temple dedicated to a forgotten guardian deity. Its golden columns had cracked, its stairs were damaged, and several sections of the roof had collapsed centuries earlier.
The temple remained sacred, but its restoration had been postponed repeatedly because the Pantheon lacked reliable records of its original construction.
Sir Vaelor stopped outside the entrance.
"May I ask about this building?"
Neferet turned toward him.
"It is the Temple of the First Dawn. It predates several of our surviving sanctuaries. We have been attempting to restore it, but much of its original structure is missing."
Vaelor examined the damaged columns.
"Would you permit me to help?"
Neferet looked surprised.
"You wish to repair it?"
"If that would be useful."
Ra, who had accompanied them, frowned thoughtfully.
"Surely a knight of your rank has more important duties than repairing old stonework."
Vaelor smiled.
"Protecting people is important. Preserving their history can be important too."
He approached a cracked column and placed his hand against it.
A faint crimson light spread across the stone.
The damaged structure did not explode into energy or transform into a magnificent new building. Instead, the cracks gradually closed as Vaelor carefully restored the column to its original condition.
He studied the nearby carvings before continuing.
"I would prefer to preserve the original design. Replacing everything with new material might destroy details that your historians have not yet documented."
Isis stepped closer, her expression brightening.
"You can restore the stone without erasing the original inscriptions?"
"With your permission, yes. I will work slowly enough for your scholars to record them."
For the next several hours, the Imperial Knight worked alongside Egyptian builders, priests, and historians.
He lifted fallen stones into place, reinforced weakened arches, and helped repair the temple's outer staircase.
Whenever he encountered an unfamiliar symbol, he stopped and asked the local scholars for guidance.
He never treated their knowledge as inferior to his own.
At one point, Ra watched him carefully restore a small carving above the entrance.
"You could probably rebuild this entire temple in an instant."
Vaelor nodded.
"Yes."
"Then why not?"
"Because the temple belongs to your people. They should have the opportunity to participate in restoring it."
Ra stared at him.
Then he looked toward the Egyptian builders, who were working beside the knight and sharing stories about the temple's history.
Slowly, the sun god smiled.
"I believe I understand your Emperor a little better now."
As evening approached, the delegation gathered in the palace courtyard.
The Temple of the First Dawn was not yet completely restored, but its damaged entrance had been repaired, and the first stage of the work had been completed.
Neferet thanked the knights personally.
"You have strengthened our alliance today more than any display of power could have done."
Sir Elyra bowed.
"We are pleased to have been of service."
A royal envoy then presented Neferet with a final message from Kael.
It was brief.
To my allies in Aaru,
May this alliance become a bridge between our civilizations. Send us your scholars, welcome our travelers, and ask for assistance whenever you need it. My knights are not here to demonstrate that the Veyris Empire is powerful. They are here to demonstrate what that power can accomplish when used responsibly.
I look forward to visiting again.
Kael Veyris, Emperor of the Veyris Empire.
Neferet read the message twice before placing it beside the signed alliance charter.
"Our pantheon has made the right decision."
Ra nodded.
"Agreed. We shall honor this alliance."
Sekhmet glanced toward Sir Caedryn.
"Although I still want to see how fast you can move."
Caedryn smiled politely.
"Perhaps we could have a friendly race through the palace gardens."
Sekhmet's face lit up.
"Excellent!"
Isis immediately intervened.
"Not through the palace gardens. Last time, you destroyed three fountains."
"They were poorly positioned!"
Kael's envoys exchanged amused glances.
For the first time in many ages, the Egyptian Pantheon had gained allies who possessed extraordinary power without demanding admiration or obedience.
And far away, in the Infinite Library of the Veyris Empire, a new record appeared.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS: VEYRIS EMPIRE AND EGYPTIAN PANTHEON.
STATUS: ALLIANCE FORMALIZED.
FIRST IMPERIAL DELEGATION: SUCCESSFUL.
Beneath the record, a final note appeared in Shalya's precise handwriting:
The Emperor is not permitted to create additional honey cakes as diplomatic gifts without prior approval.
Kael, reading the notice in his study, stared at it for several seconds.
"Shalya is becoming far too powerful."
And somewhere in Aaru, Ra suddenly sneezed.
He had no idea why.