Emperor's Reckoning



Nyi's hands shook as he held the weight of the formal invitation letter. His eyes traced the elegant calligraphy, each word carrying the gravity of the impending events. The realization settled upon him like a heavy cloak, the knowledge that the tides of war were rising, threatening to engulf the land he held dear.

Leander, his father, watched Nyi closely, sensing the mixture of trepidation and determination that played across his son's face. He placed a comforting hand on Nyi's shoulder, his voice filled with both concern and resolve.

"What do you think, my son?" Leander asked, his voice gentle yet tinged with the weight of experience. "This summit carries great danger, and the decisions made there could shape the future of our kingdom. But it is a burden you must bear as the king of Elyrianth."

Nyi's gaze met his father's, a whirlwind of emotions churning within him. The responsibility that had been placed upon his shoulders felt overwhelming, and yet he understood the necessity of his role. With a heavy sigh, Nyi gathered his thoughts, preparing to express his fears and convictions.

"Father," Nyi began, his voice steady yet tinged with vulnerability, "I cannot deny the danger that lies ahead. But I also recognize the responsibility that comes with the crown. As the king of Elyrianth, it is my duty to protect our people and ensure the prosperity of our kingdom."

Leander nodded, his eyes filled with both pride and sorrow. He understood the burden Nyi carried, the weight of leadership that had been thrust upon him. Yet, he also knew that his son possessed the strength and wisdom to navigate the tumultuous path that lay ahead.

Nyi excused himself from his father's presence, needing a moment of solitude to gather his thoughts and contemplate the weighty decisions that lay before him. He sought solace in the familiar surroundings of his private chambers, the walls adorned with memories of his upbringing and reminders of the responsibilities he now carried.

As he paced the room, his mind raced with questions and uncertainties. The invitation to the Summit of Second Heaven held the promise of both opportunity and peril. It was a gathering where alliances could be forged, treaties negotiated, and the fate of nations determined. Nyi knew that the decisions made within those hallowed halls could have far-reaching consequences for his kingdom and its people.

He leaned against a tall window, the soft light of dusk casting a gentle glow upon his troubled face. Nyi's thoughts turned inward as he reflected on the magnitude of his role and the challenges that lay ahead. 

As his mind muddled, there was one certain figure that appeared to be the center of the whole situation. Second Heaven felt like a huge playground from his eyes and he came from the lesser realm. His eyes peered through the window and onto the courtyard, there he saw the man laying peacefully by his wife's thigh.

He smirked in defeat, "This whole summit is pointing at him yet the person that they crazed over with seemed to pay no heed at all to the old crooks... I envy you, Lyon."

He turned from the window and let the evening come as the moon adorned the sky. The night came to a close so peacefully amidst the cracks road looming in the near future.

However, the morning was not as joyful as Lyon would hope.

As the morning sun cast its gentle rays upon the palace, a guard approached Lyon with an urgent message. Nyi, the young king of Elyrianth, requested a private meeting with Lyon in a designated chamber. Curiosity and a sense of importance surged within Lyon as he followed the guard through the grand corridors adorned with ornate tapestries and sparkling chandeliers.

The private room awaited them, its windows allowing streams of sunlight to illuminate the space with a warm and inviting glow. Nyi stood near the center, his face filled with a mixture of anticipation and concern. He greeted Lyon with a nod, inviting him to approach.

Before Nyi opened his mouth, Lyon quickly said, "If this is about your mother, don't worry about it."

"Oh, no, it's not about my mother," said Nyi.

"Alright," Lyon straightened his back and raised his chin as if the thought of mentioning Nyi's mother never occurred.

"Something of great significance is going to happen soon," said Nyi.

Lyon met Nyi's gaze, sensing the weight of responsibility that rested upon the young king's shoulders. He crossed his arms, "What's the matter?"

"First, some little bit of background," said Nyi as he turned his gaze toward the window. "The Second Heaven is vast, thus it is likely that kingdoms can spawn everywhere as the land fits."

"And?"

Nyi sighed, "However, one kingdom cannot triumph over the rest, thus a summit exists for that reason."

"Dog eats dog world," Lyon smirked.

"Precisely, not a single kingdom can wage war on two kingdoms or more at once," said Nyi. "Thus a summit is needed to mend the chaos that is bound to happen..." Nyi turned around before revealing a sharp gaze at Lyon whilst pointing at him. "That is until you arrived."

Lyon furrowed his brows, "What are you trying to say?"

"You changed the game, Lyon," said Nyi before he sighed. "I acquired the Broken Rose Kingdom without shedding even one life of my army, just cold sweat from my forehead— the ultimate victory in any record of history, heck, not even a single building was destroyed, just waves. Do you know what this means?"

Lyon contemplated with his hand rubbing his chin and his eyebrows furrowed. He hummed with eyes glancing at the corner of the roof before darting to the floor. He paced himself in the room with deliberate contemplation.

Nyi carefully studied Lyon's movement. The former was a genius in his own right, however, the man pacing back and front in front of him was on a different level on his own. His brows furrowed as Lyon paced harder, then his mind snapped. His eyes widened before he sighed, "Lyon, you're just playing around, aren't you?"

"Eh? You can tell?" Lyon leaned back his upper body as his eyes peered toward Nyi's twitching eyebrows.

Nyi sighed even more heavier.

"I thought this facade would last longer."

"Nobody is pacing that fast ever even thinking at all," said Nyi. "Don't you realize the gravity of this?"

"For me, this is all the same, even if there is a summit or not at all, it's not the first time after all," said Lyon. "I think I have about the same experience back in First Heaven."

"First Heaven you say?" Nyi furrowed his brows. "I'm curious, tell me more."

"It's not really exciting, to be honest," said Lyon. "Though, there was this queen and her daughter that I'm quite fond of."

"What happened?" Nyi frowned.

"Same thing like Cae," said Lyon before his eyes turned sharp, "I kill those who threaten me or my love ones."

"..." Nyi was lost for words. He thought that Lyon was really much like him, more aloof and less action, however, he finally spotted the difference. The man in front of him was incredibly reckless. ( Should I really invite him to the summit? )

"That's actually how I met Mavis, hahaha!" Lyon laughed. "He covered me when I destroyed that Alchemist Union tower or something."

Nyi raised his brows as his eyes were fully dilated. He quickly grabbed a hold of Lyon's shoulders. "Lyon, did you say Mavis?"

"I said Mavis," said Lyon. "What of it?"

"As in, Mavis of the young master of the Sky Clan?"

"Hmm, I think he did mention that he is from the Sky Clan," said Lyon.

"Oh! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!" said Nyi as he turned around and paced with his hands on his head.

"What's wrong?"

"Wait, wait, wait," Nyi approached Lyon again with his index finger raised trying to emphasize something, "Tell me, Lyon, how do you get the job?"

"As a teacher?"

"Yes!"

"Well an old man suddenly come to the Mortal World, and my former student choked him and I got the job," said Lyon as he shrugged, grossing the simplification of the unfolded series of events.

Nyi's lips parted in disbelief. He just heard an old man being choked, yet he knew full well that it was the old master, the principal of the Nirvana School, Old Gu. He shook his head and returned to matter at hands as he said urgently, "But you're his friend right?"

"Mavis?"

"Yes!"

"Well, I guess..?" Lyon raised one of his eyebrows. "Wait I thought someone at your level should know this by now, you didn't check my background or something?"

"No, of course not! Not to that extent! All we know is that Old Gu is scouting for the next teacher and that's all— what you need to know is that none of the other five teachers have any significant relationship with their respective sponsors, but you, you are different!" said Nyi excitingly. 

"Okay," said Lyon as he rested his eyebrows.