Astoria Royal Castle
Solterra Region
Zenith World
Xorion Galaxy
March 11th
Year 2001 of the Cosmic Calendar
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The war room had been carved from the oldest stone beneath the palace, a place built not for comfort but for strategic planning.
The room was circular, vast, and dimly lit, its ceiling lost in shadow. Veins of faintly glowing runes traced the stone walls like scars that never healed, pulsing softly, as if the room itself were breathing. Six high-backed chairs sat at a massive round table forged from a shimmering black metal and ancient oak—one for the Emperor, four for the dukes who held the empire together bystrength, respectand fear.
At the center of the table, light shimmered.
A holographic map rose into the air, layers of translucent terrain unfolding upward. Mountain ranges rendered in sharp blue ridges, rivers flowing like silver threads, borders glowing faintly red where the other Empires/Kingdoms all across the face of Auron.
The Emperor sat at the head of the table. Casually observing the holographic map. With a bored expression on his face. His ever faithful butler Thomas stood beside him.
To his right sat the red eyed menace; Adrian. A lazy smile on his face as he leaned back. Far too comfortably for a room that had planned a thousand deaths, fingers drumming lazily against the armrest.
"You know," he said, tilting his head toward the map, "every time that red border flashes like that, I feel like it's judging me."
His Father said without looking away from the map. "It should," he replied flatly. "You're late. Yet again."
"Fashionably," the prince said with a grin. "War waits for no man, but it can wait for me."
A soft scoff came from the entrance. As a group of four entered the room. As they entered Adrian observed them with a narrowed gaze.
He focused on the only female among the quartet. And the one who scoffed at his earlier statement.
She was a beautiful woman with pale skin and long glossy black hair and blood red eyes. She exuded a kind of effortless grace with a bewitching, almost playful smile on her face.
Meeting the young Prince's gaze she continued.
"War does not wait Prince Adrian," she said. "It devours." She added. A dangerous look in her eyes. As she settled into the seat opposite Adrian.
The grin on the prince's face thinned, though not entirely gone. "Good day, Mistress of the Night." Adrian said calmly. A hint of respect in his tone as he addressed the Duke by her title.
"Oh my. Someone still remembers me." She said playing with a lock of her waist length hair. "Good day to you too your Highness. How much I've missed you." She remarked. A beautiful smile gracing her lips.
"Missed me?, more like you missed torturing me." Adrian said quietly. Rolling his eyes.
"What was that?"
"Nothing".
The others laughed as they settled into the other seats.
A very good looking ,fair skinned and broad shouldered man dressed in a dark blue three-piece suit spoke up.
"Haaa,you can't keep teasing the young Prince like that Morgaine. He's not a child anymore." He said coldly.
He possessed short light blue hair and glacial blue eyes and was seated beside the dark haired beauty. His voice as cold as ice.
Those that were familiar with him could tell he found Morgaine's antics annoying,well sometimes.
"Tsk, just like you to ruin my fun. You know, nobody likes a fun sponge Argus. The black haired charmer retorted. Clicking her tongue.
The blue haired man was known as Argus Severin. Best known on the cosmic stage for his title Glacial Lord.
"Because your version of fun is simply draining Morgaine". The blue haired man, Argus replied dryly.
"Whatever you old block of ice." She said with a pout.
Before Argus could comment further, a fairly young looking, grey haired man with a blindfold around his eyes, dressed in a simple black hoodie and grey joggers butted in.
"You know, you both are about the same age, so calling Argus old would technically mean…."
"I dare you to complete that statement Euri." Morgaine said coldly. Her red eyes turning black as her mana flared threateningly. Glaring at the man seated adjacent the Prince.
"…..Nevermind." He said, gulping louldly.
The room went silent for a brief moment as Morgaine continued glaring at the blind folded young man. Euryon Gorgath.
He who turns all to ruin. Was a title he held with pride.
Despite being the youngest and the most laid back Duke, his name still reverberated across the universe anytime he made a move.
"Ha ha ha." The silence was broken by a quiet chuckle. Immediately they heard it, they all snapped their heads towards the head of the table where the chuckle came from.
"What is happening." The fourth Duke. A blonde haired, scholarly looking man. Dressed in formal,business like clothes with a lab coat. Asked carefully. Finally looking up from his tab.
He was known as Lorien Verdantis. The Verdant Regent. Yet another Legendary figure.
"Did the Emperor just laugh?" Argus asked. Surprise etched across his stoic features.
"No way." Euryon echoed in disbelief.
"The last time the Emperor laughed was when Euri turned a whole planet to stone. And that was two decades ago.
"Hey!!. That was an accident. Did you really have to bring up my embarrassing past in front of Prince Adrian?" Euryon exclaimed. Glancing at the Prince who seemed to be trying to hide his amusement. And failing.
"Haaa. You all remember I'm right here though. Right?, Emperor Altáir remarked with a sigh. A faint smile on his face. Let's just say this brings back memories."
"Memories?" Argus echoed confused.
"Strange" Euryon remarked.
"Is he going senile from old age?" Morgaine murmured.
"I could do a scan?!" Lorien offered.
Having had enough Adrian burst out in a fit OG laughter. "Ha ha ha ha ha. No, I can't take it anymore. Ha ha ha. Y'all are weird." He said laughing wildly.
"Haaa. Can we all stop teasing My Liege?" At this point any facial expression is better than his default stone like face" Thomas finally speaking up. Coming to the aid of the Emperor. A faint smile on his face
The room erupted in another fit of laughter at the words of Thomas.
"Whatever." Altáir remarked pinching his glabellar.
"Can we get down to business now?" He asked calmly.
At his words the the four dukes and a prince sat up, backs straight ready to hold on to every word that will come out of his mouth.
"Y'all must have an inkling of why you've all been summoned back….
….War is upon us." The Emperor intoned coldly.