Emperor's Reckoning



Yala couldn't help but smirk as her father's eyes widened in sheer astonishment at her revelation. "Your old friend, the best archer you've ever seen... The Zodiac Emperor, Lyon Torga." The shock that rippled across the Emperor's face was profound, leaving him utterly speechless in the wake of this unexpected revelation.

The Emperor, usually composed and regal, now had an expression akin to someone who had just witnessed a monumental event. His piercing elven eyes widened, reflecting disbelief and an array of emotions—surprise, nostalgia, and perhaps a tinge of sorrow. His finely chiseled features softened, and for a moment, it seemed like the weight of years had lifted, revealing a flicker of the young man who had once been close to the elusive Zodiac Emperor.

His mouth opened as if to speak, yet no words emerged. He stood there, caught in a tide of memories and emotions, struggling to find the right words to articulate his thoughts. Yala watched him, intrigued by this rare display of vulnerability from her usually composed father. It was a side she rarely saw, a glimpse into a past long buried under the mantle of rulership and responsibility.

The Emperor's voice wavered slightly as he spoke, his disbelief still palpable. He shook his head, his silky golden hair shimmering like moonlight.

"It cannot be, Yala," he insisted, his tone tinged with a mix of hope and skepticism. "The Zodiac Emperor, Lyon Torga, died centuries ago. You must have encountered a clever impostor. The Lyon I knew... he's long gone."

Yala couldn't help but sense the turmoil within her father's words. It was clear that Lyon's name carried immense significance for him, evoking memories and emotions he had long suppressed. Yet, faced with the notion that Lyon might still be alive, a part of him seemed unwilling to accept it, as if it were too improbable to be true.

Yala, firm in her conviction, met her father's gaze squarely. "Father, there's no logical motive for someone to masquerade as the Zodiac Emperor. It would bring them only demerit and animosity, especially if they were exposed as a fraud. Lyon Torga is a name of immense prestige and equally weighty responsibilities. No impostor would risk invoking such ire."

The Emperor shook his head in disbelief, his features contorted by conflicting emotions. "It's impossible, Yala. There's no way Lyon Torga is still in the world of the living."

Just then, Iris, Yala's mother, approached with a warm smile, her curiosity piqued by the unusual expressions on her husband and daughter's faces. She asked, "What seems to be the matter? You both look quite serious."

Iris had an ethereal grace about her, a beauty that seemed to defy time itself. Her long, silver hair cascaded in gentle waves down her back, shimmering with a natural luster. Her features were delicate yet pronounced—high cheekbones, a straight nose, and soft, almond-shaped eyes of a striking shade of green that held a wisdom accumulated over centuries.

Despite her age, she bore an ageless appearance, as if she were frozen in her prime. Her eyes held a depth that spoke of experiences beyond the mortal realm, and her demeanor exuded a quiet strength and kindness, the wisdom of a mother who had witnessed the passing of eras and civilizations.

Yala glanced at her mother, then back at her father, the determination in her eyes unwavering. "Mother, Father doesn't believe that Lyon Torga could be alive. I met someone today claiming to be the Zodiac Emperor, and he looked just like the illustrations we've seen of Lyon."

Iris's eyes widened in astonishment, and she turned to her husband, awaiting an explanation. The Emperor hesitated before recounting the encounter. As he spoke, Iris's eyes sparkled with a mixture of disbelief and hope.

With a gentle smile, she addressed her daughter, "Tell me your encounter, Yala."

As Yala recounted her meeting with Lyon in vivid detail, her mother listened attentively. The truth was both extraordinary and unsettling. Lyon's return, if true, would undoubtedly reshape their world. The Emperor remained silent, processing the words of his daughter, caught between skepticism and a flicker of hope.

Yala informed her parents that she had indeed located the Compendium, but her father, the Emperor, dismissed its significance. "The Compendium is of lesser concern," he said firmly, "The more pressing matter is Lyon's presence."

Yala continued her narrative, emphasizing the moment when Cecile mentioned her mother's name. "She called me 'Iris's daughter.'. That's when I realized he wasn't an impostor. Father, mother, I saw her, and she knew me."

Iris exchanged a knowing look with her husband, her smile fading as a hint of concern crossed her face. Her gaze met Yala's, and she spoke softly, "Yala, this is a complex matter. Lyon was a significant figure in the past. If he truly has returned, it may herald changes we can't predict."

Yala stood confidently, arms crossed and a playful smirk on her lips. "You know, Uncle Lyon had quite the interest in you back in the day, Mother. He admired your archery skills and grace."

Iris's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her surprise was evident. She hadn't expected her daughter to uncover this part of her past. She glanced at her husband, who simply shook his head with a faint smile, acknowledging the truth in Yala's words.

With a playful glint in her eye, Yala continued, "And here I thought you were always the responsible and prim queen."

Iris couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. "Well, Yala, sometimes life is more complicated than it seems."

The Emperor chimed in, "Indeed, dear. Old memories are like hidden treasures, waiting to resurface in unexpected ways."

Iris composed herself, regaining her graceful composure. "It's a different era now, Yala. We must focus on what lies ahead. If Lyon truly has returned, we must approach this with caution and wisdom." averting the topic, she asked, "What does this Lyon want..."

Yala's look turned solemn. Her lips opened, "He is looking for his wife, The Benevolent Empress, Maria."

The Emperor's eyes widened in astonishment upon hearing Yala's revelation. He asked, "He seeks Maria? The Benevolent Empress?"

Iris chimed in, her expression also marked with concern, "This is truly a matter of great importance, my love. Maria is a key figure in maintaining balance within the realms."

"How so?" Yala raised her brows in pure curiosity.

The emperor answered gravely, "If he is the true Lyon, the Zodiac Emperor and something dreadful happens to Maria..." The emperor sighed before his voice deepened with respect and horror, "This realm is done for."

As Yala's eyes widened seeing how serious the complexion of her father was, Lyon's eyes brightened as he saw a giant arc with a blurry image of the other side revealed, different from the ones in Mortal World.