A new sunrise broke over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and violet. This
morning, the light did not just fall upon the lush meadows of the Right South (Virellia),
the crashing sapphire waves of the Left South (Aurex), or the frozen, stoic mountains
of the North (Terragorn). Instead, it illuminated the center of the world—a borderland
anchored by a magnificent, thundering waterfall that whispered of ancient secrets.
Gathered in this sacred valley were more than 1,000,000 people. It was a sea of
diversity that the world had never seen: thousands of Demi-Humans from Virellia, the
Lizardmen and Mermaids of Aurex in their elegant Hskin forms, and the Wolf-Kin,
Goblins, and Ogres of Terragorn. Today, they were not separate races; they were a
single, breathless audience.
Behind the civilians stood 100,000 soldiers and Royal Knights. Their armor, once
clashing in border wars, now gleamed in a unified formation. In front of them stood
the hierarchy of a new world:
* Twelve Lords (four from each empire).* Nine Dukes (three from each empire).
* Six High Archdukes (two from each empire).
At the very front, closest to the misty spray of the falls, stood Toshie, the High
Priestess of the Virella Shrine. She held a luxury silken pillow upon which rested a
legendary Katana, its blade silent and waiting.
Then, the "Monster" entered.
Jee-shahn walked with a slow, deliberate pace. He wore his regular outfit, but it was
pristine, smelling of fresh flowers rather than stale wine. Over his shoulders was a
ceremonial robe of such immense length that it was carried by six Kings. While five of
the Kings held the fabric with the dignity of their rank, one stood out. Lupa's father,
the King of the North, held his corner of the robe with a face so red and frustrated it
looked like he might explode. Every time he looked at his son-in-law's back, he let out
a mufled huff of pure, fatherly indignation.
To Jee-shahn's left and right walked the future: Snowman and Shin, the ten-year-old
heirs, and beside them, the young Lion-Kin Leo. They wore matching royal themes,
symbols of a lineage that had finally anchored itself. Behind them followed the loyal
students—Sora, Ryuki, and Sparta—and behind Sparta, his three young brothers in
Hskin form, all marching with a gravity that didn't quite match their chaotic souls.
Jee-shahn reached the High Priestess. Toshie looked at him with a knowing smile and
gave a small nod.
"It is our divine honor," Toshie announced, her voice carrying over the roar of the
falls, "that we witness the foundation of the Third True Empire and the birth of a True
Emperor. Let the ceremony begin."
Jee-shahn knelt. The "noise" of a million people died down to a heartbeat. Toshie
stepped forward with the Katana. "This blade has witnessed the end of a thousand
civilizations. We hope you will use it as a tool for creation, not destruction."
Jee-shahn took a breath, his fingers closing around the hilt. "I respect your thoughts,"
he said, his voice low but reaching every ear. "But I create a place where all races and
creatures can live peacefully, without a second thought of fear."
Toshie smiled and released the blade. Jee-shahn stood, the iron of the chains rattling
softly as he drew the Katana from its scabbard. He pointed the shimmering steel
toward the crowd, specifically toward a section where Seraphina, her parents, and the
resurrected World-Eaters sat in stunned silence.
"Today," Jee-shahn declared, a grim, tired smile touching his lips, "the Dream-Realm
Empire is born!"
The roar of the civilians was deafening, a wave of joy that shook the valley. But amidst
the cheering, a secret "noise" echoed in Jee-shahn's mind.
The Azure Lizard on his head and the Draco in his palm sent a synchronized
telepathic snicker.
("Liar Master,") the Lizard whispered. ("You don't want this responsibility at all. If your
ten 'Boss' wives hadn't threatened to burn your wine cellar and force-feed you
vegetables, you wouldn't even have shown up to your own coronation.")
Jee-shahn didn't respond. He simply sheathed the blade and looked at the horizon,
realizing that while he was finally an Emperor, the "noise" of ten wives and a million
subjects was only just beginning.