Evening settled across the Veyris Empire.
The skies burned orange and crimson while floating islands cast long shadows over glowing rivers below.
Music echoed through the capital.
Citizens walked peacefully through illuminated streets.
Knights relaxed after training.
For once.
the Empire truly felt calm.
Inside the Imperial Palace.
Kael Veyris stood on a high balcony overlooking the city.
The wind moved softly around him.
Then.
golden light suddenly appeared across the horizon.
Not destructive.
Not hostile.
Elegant.
Far above the Empire.
a massive yellow dragon crossed the heavens.
Its scales shimmered like molten gold beneath sunset light.
Wings stretched across clouds while golden particles drifted behind it like falling stars.
The entire city looked upward.
...A dragon?
The dragon slowly descended toward the palace.
Golden light surrounded its body.
Then.
its form shifted.
The enormous dragon transformed into a humanoid figure.
Marigold stepped forward gracefully.
Long platinum-blonde hair flowed around her shoulders like liquid silk.
Her glowing crimson-red eyes carried a mysterious, seductive intensity.
She wore a luxurious metallic gold evening dress with a deep neckline and high slit that shimmered beautifully beneath palace lights.
A white fur shawl rested around her arms while silver crystal jewelry sparkled softly with every movement.
The atmosphere itself seemed brighter around her.
Silence filled the balcony.
Then Wukong slowly lowered the fruit he was eating.
...Oh.
Marigold smiled faintly toward Kael.
So this is the Veyris Empire.
Kael looked at her calmly.
And you are?
She placed one hand over her chest elegantly.
Marigold.
The Golden Dragon of the Western Sky.
Ignisia suddenly appeared beside Kael.
Her dragon eyes narrowed slightly.
...Another dragon woman.
Umbryssia appeared nearby and smirked.
I can already sense future chaos.
Marigold looked around the Empire quietly.
Children laughed below.
Citizens walked peacefully.
No fear.
No panic.
No oppression.
Her expression softened slightly.
The stories were true.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
What stories?
Marigold looked toward him directly.
That your Empire feels alive.
Later that evening.
a gathering formed within the Imperial Hall.
Ashvattha, Noctyra Valis, Kaelithra Veylscara, Anemone, Ashenback, Luxryth Solaris, Lilith, Morrigan, Yue Lian and many others had gathered.
Marigold sat elegantly near the center while observing everyone carefully.
Aurelia leaned toward Luxryth and whispered:
...Why are there suddenly so many dragon women here?
Luxryth whispered back immediately:
I stopped questioning things weeks ago.
Nearby.
Wukong loudly whispered to Kael:
...She's definitely flirting with you.
Marigold immediately looked toward Wukong.
I can hear you.
Wukong froze.
...I regret everything.
The room burst into laughter.
Then.
without warning.
the palace trembled slightly.
Everyone became quiet.
A strange crack formed briefly in the air.
Dark energy leaked from it.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
Again?
From the crack.
a distorted creature attempted to emerge.
Its voice echoed unnaturally:
THE EMPEROR MUST.
Before it could finish.
Marigold sighed softly.
...How rude.
Golden dragon flames erupted instantly.
The creature vanished completely.
No explosion.
No scream.
Only ash drifting through the air.
Silence.
Ignisia blinked once.
...That was fast.
Marigold adjusted her fur shawl calmly.
It interrupted dinner.
Wukong stared.
...Okay yeah she's terrifying.
Kael looked toward Marigold.
You've dealt with creatures like that before?
For the first time.
Marigold's smile faded slightly.
...Many times.
Her crimson eyes looked toward distant horizons beyond the Empire.
And something far worse is coming.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The laughter faded.
Even the stars outside seemed dimmer.
Far away.
beyond known reality.
something ancient opened its eyes.
And it looked toward the Veyris Empire.