___ Aurelios, Golden Palace ___
A golden gate bearing the insignia of the sun tore open.
Sol stepped through.
His expression was grim, and the azure flames that had once engulfed his body were nowhere to be seen. Behind him, the ministers lined both sides of the grand entrance. The moment they noticed his arrival, they dropped to their knees, lowering their heads in reverence.
"MAY HIS MAJESTY LIVE FOR TEN THOUSAND YEARS!"
Their voices echoed through the Golden Palace.
Sol paid them no attention.
He continued walking, his heavy footsteps resounding against the polished golden floor. He climbed the long staircase leading to the imperial throne before finally settling down.
His chest heaved. For a moment, the only sound in the throne room was his laboured breathing.
The ministers slowly raised their heads. It was only then that they noticed something was wrong.
