Emperor's Reckoning



Lyon slowly blinked his eyes, returning to the present moment. The echoes of laughter and the warmth that had filled his heart began to fade, dissipating like a fleeting dream. He looked around the ancient hall, its solemn atmosphere contrasting with the ethereal experience he had just encountered.

"How is it?" Selena asked.

Lyon shook his head, "I can't help the feeling of familiarity, however, I can't see their faces, just their lingering memories."

"Do you know who they were?" asked Selena.

"No, not a single one, not even a figure, just joyous peals of laughter," said Lyon.

The memory of the butterfly fluttering around the single flower, illuminated by the rays of sunlight, lingered in his mind. It was a moment of connection to his past, a glimpse into the greatness he once possessed. Though the specifics remained elusive, the emotions it stirred within him remained.

As Lyon reoriented himself to the present, he realized that Selena's hand still rested in his. He gently squeezed it, grateful for her presence and the grounding force she provided. The trance-like experience had stirred something deep within him, reminding him of the journey he was on and the purpose he carried.

"Is this our home?" asked Lyon. "They did mention that I was an emperor."

"You mean your empire?" asked Selena.

"Empire... right, the emperor has an empire... though, this doesn't look like one, especially the size," said Lyon.

Selena giggled, "Of course not, this is just an old hideout that we used back then, adventuring and stuff."

Lyon looked around, "Then why is it unkempt?"

"Perhaps, people forgot about who this belonged to, but this place seems to remember you well, otherwise, the bells won't chime," said Selena.

"Ah, so that's why I was feeling welcomed the moment I stepped out of the carriage," said Lyon as he sighed. He looked at the old throne before he glanced at his wife whom the latter nodded.

Selena let his hand go and watched. The back was not as big as a warrior, his robe was not as regal as he should be, however, his presence was undeniable within those determined steps that he took.

Lyon stood right in front of the ancient throne. The seat had faced better days but it still greeted the rightful one despite time eating it out.

"Darling, catch!"

Lyon raised his brows as he turned before his hands moved in reflex and caught Selena's sword with ease. He looked at the clean blade, reflecting half of his face. He took a deep breath before he raised it. He swung exactly once, and profound stillness came before the veins broke simultaneously.

It may not restore the ancient throne to its former glory, however, he could definitely see the hint of that bygone era. He turned around with a deliberate sway before he put his hands on his waist. He looked at Selena with a grin before he sat down on that upholstery. He put his leg on top of the other before his elbow pressed the armrest and his fist supported his cheek.

Selena clapped her hands rapidly and they echoed. 

"Haha!" Lyon was humored. He got off the throne before throwing the sword back to his wife. "Let's go, I'm sure that they are waiting for me."

"En!" Selena nodded before she let the man lead the way.

Back in the assembly hall. 

Drogan managed to calm himself down and gained control of his emotion back. As his veins no longer pop, he looked at Nyi. "How do we know that you are talking the truth?"

Nyi firmly answered, "Not a single person knows whether I'm lying or saying the truth."

"Then maybe I should ask your students," said Drogan as he shifted his gaze toward the three at the back.

Once more, the three students suffered a tremendous presence blasting their shoulders down.

"I thought that we agree to let them be spectators instead," said Nyi. "What is the meaning of this?"

Valerius nodded, "Drogan, lay down your aura, in the summit you respect the rule."

"Hmm..." Drogan pulled his aura back within.

King Aldric said, "However, I am curious if that is the truth or not."

King Corvin nodded, "Indeed, I am curious as well."

"Pardon me, but I have answered your question," said Nyi. "Esteemed kings, I believe that we should shift our attention to the main problem at hand."

Nyi quickly averted the topic as he saw the chance. He didn't want to antagonize Drogan further for there was no gain to be held. His main concern was to identify who was Drogan's accomplice, though, he knew very well that these kings of the older generation had very flexible minds.

"And what would that be?" asked King Aldric.

"The shift of the balance of Second Heaven is fast approaching," said Nyi. "King Cae is dead by my hand, I acclaimed his legacy, the Broken Rose Kingdom, however, we all cannot pretend that Drogan is not still eyeing the control over Second Heaven."

King Corvin shares a sharp gaze toward Nyi, "What is your true purpose in coming here, King Nyi?"

"To know who is my enemy," said King Nyi.

Nyi's words hung in the air, carrying an undercurrent of tension and suspicion. The other kings seated around the table exchanged glances, their expressions veiled with surprise and guardedness. Nyi's intention to uncover the enemy among them had struck a nerve, threatening the fragile alliances and uneasy peace that had been maintained by the previous generation.

"You think of me as a villain too much, young king," said Drogan. "Are you afraid of this runic power that you failed to comprehend the potential of?"

"You're wrong, Drogan, what I'm afraid of is not the unknown power of the runes, but your obsession," said Nyi. "I think you are the one that is failing to understand yourself, once a hero, now nothing more than just a bandit leader with a code, you will do everything within your power to rule, even the most heinous thing."

"It seems like you are too young to have the crown," said Drogan. "You failed to see that what I did is necessary for the fruition of my goal."

"Then what is your goal?" asked King Aldric, "You didn't hide that you have the desire to control Second Heaven, and I have to say that is a lofty goal."

"Rune is the next generation, King Aldric," said Drogan.

"And you are willing to teach this rune to all of us?" asked Nyi. "I highly doubt, since this is your secret weapon to overpower the esteemed kings of Second Heaven."

"King Nyi," King Valerius said, "I'm afraid that you are blinded by hate toward Drogan and that your judgment is clouded and mudded."

Nyi furrowed his brows as he darted his glance toward King Valerius.

"Perhaps Drogan is trying to offer a new way of cultivation, maybe the runes are the breakthrough that Second Heaven needed to advance to the Third Heaven."

Aldric furrowed his brows, "Why are you so inclined to believe that Drogan will share his knowledge about the rune?"

"I am not," King Valerius shook his head. "But we can at least negotiate with him."

"Negotiate," Corvin furrowed his brows. "Perhaps you are hinting at something here, King Valerius."

King Valerius shrugged, "Let's see the other option, this individual Lyon that is said to be heralded from the realm of Mortal World, what does he offer to Second Heaven? But the death of our dear friend Cae, the next could be me, Corvin, or Aldric, or even, you yourself, King Nyi."

Valerius's words lingered in the room, weaving an intricate tapestry of tension and suspicion. The atmosphere grew heavy as the other kings seated around the table met each other's eyes, their gazes filled with a mix of surprise and wariness.

"I can offer Drogan's head."

Lyon's voice reverberated through the vast assembly hall, slicing through the tense silence like a blade. The kings, Drogan, and the three students spun around, their eyes widening in disbelief as they beheld the unexpected arrival of Lyon. The once absent figure now stood before them, emanating an air of confidence and a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. His arms were casually crossed, exuding a newfound aura of authority.

A collective gasp escaped the lips of the kings and students, their astonishment morphing into a mix of surprise, curiosity, and a hint of trepidation. Lyon's sudden appearance disrupted their running thoughts of new points of view, casting a fresh wave of uncertainty upon the already tumultuous proceedings. The enigmatic figure who had remained elusive for so long had now emerged, commanding attention with his mere presence.

"Teacher...!" uttered the three students altogether.

Drogan's brows furrowed deeply as he regarded Lyon's sudden arrival. His eyes narrowed, trying to discern the underlying motives behind this unexpected appearance. The surprise was evident on his face, mingled with a tinge of suspicion.

The last actor of the summit arrived with his wife, who stood steadfastly by his side.