The sun stood high in the sky.
Beyond the gates of Graitan stretched a vast expanse of green fields of soft grass dotted with small, delicate flowers, encircled by lines of ancient trees. It was there, in the middle, that Theana waited.
She stood beneath the shade of a wide umbrella, held carefully by a white magis at her side. Not far behind her stood her generals and advisors, silent and composed.
But Rokhanwas nowhere to be seen.
Further back, a small gathering of Graitan's people stood in quiet grief. Though chosen to accompany their chancellor to the capital, their hearts remained heavy. Their gazes lingered on the back of their chancellor, the woman who would soon be taken from them by the Emperor. A sacrifice under the pretext of an royal advisor for the sake of Graitan.
Then—from the distance, the sharp sound of horses broke the stillness.
Neighing. Hooves striking earth. The Emperor of Epsos approached.
With each passing moment, the thunder of hooves grew louder, heavier. Until the procession came into view. And with it,
the rising contempt in the eyes of Graitan's people.
Because of this man. This arrogant non-magis, their chancellor would be taken. Their nation would bow. Their freedom would be traded away—all to avoid a war that would have destroyed them.
At last, the emperor came to a halt before her.
Between the two figures of power lay the offering. Several chests—filled with gold. Intricate jewelry set with rare, radiant stones. Ancient books and scrolls containing knowledge beyond ordinary comprehension. Machinery and weapons unlike anything Ep
sos had ever seen.
The value was staggering.
Yet Lennix's gaze lingered not with awe—but with calculation.
This cannot be all, he thought.
A nation like this… must have far more.
And he wanted it all of it.
Lennix spoke first. "I am… disappointed."
His voice carried clearly across the field, laced with disdain.
"These paltry offerings—are they meant to appease me, oh White Magis?" His lips curled faintly. "And you dare propose a bargain with such… trifles?"
He dismounted his horse with deliberate arrogance. Without hesitation, he drove his foot into one of the chests.
It toppled—and from within, a cascade of jewels spilled across the grass, catching the sunlight in dazzling brilliance.
For a brief moment—even Lennix paused.
The beauty of them… undeniable.
But only for a moment. The great emperor of Epsos, Lennix Depraysie, stood before her. Trying to keep up his act.
"The items you see before you," Theana began, her voice calm yet deliberate, "are gifts from each tribe of Graitan. Each holds meaning. Each bears its own value."
Lennix's eyes skimmed the offerings with mild boredom.
But Theana did not falter.
"The gift of greatest value," she continued, her gaze locking onto his despite the veil, "the ultimate bargaining chip Graitan can offer… is me."
With slow, deliberate grace, she lifted the veil from her face. Her golden eyes shone like molten sunlight, staring straight into the emperor's.
Lennix laughed.
"What is this?" he sneered. "You think I am so impressed by a pale woman? Beauty fades. I can find countless others—more supple, more pleasing—to tend to me. Different women every night"
The words ignited fury in the commander of the Earthen Tribe—a mountain of a man whose presence alone could shake the ground.
"Respect our chancellor!" he roared, veins taut. "She holds more value than all of you combined!"
Theana froze, startled by the force of his voice. Her golden eyes flicked towards him, a flicker of concern crossing her face. Speaking so boldly to the emperor was dangerous—she feared for his life.
And indeed, the emperor's nostrils flared, his hand twitching as if ready to strike.
But Theana moved before anything could happen.
She slipped off her silk shoes, letting her bare feet meet the earth.
Lennix's eyes widened. He stopped mid-step, curious… wary.
The ground beneath her trembled. The grass around her began to wilt, as if bending to her power.
And behind her… sparks of golden light stirred. They swirled and twisted, slowly forming shapes—flickering like flames before settling into one breathtaking figure.
A large bird. Not an ordinary bird, but a towering, mythical creature, its feathers long, shining with light gold. Its eyes glimmered with ancient wisdom, its wings spread like the dawn.
The emperor and his soldiers froze.
"What… is that?!" one whispered, awed and fearful.
Silence stretched, broken only by Theana's soft voice.
"We, the magis, are bound to animal spirits from the moment we are born," she said.
"We wield power unseen by others—for a reason."
The golden bird let out a deep, resonant squawk, its wings flapping gracefully. It lowered its head, nestling against Theana's shoulder. She reached up, caressing it gently.
"And yet," she continued, her voice unwavering, "that power is not for destruction alone. It is to protect… to guide… and to honor the bonds we hold with those we serve."
The emperor's eyes never left her, a mixture of shock, awe, and calculation flickering across his features.
The soldiers around him dared not breathe.
For in that moment, Theana was no mere mortal. She was a force of nature—a living embodiment of Graitan itself.
She continues by saying, "The leaders of each tribe, the strongest among them by nature, possessed the ability to wield mythical spirits".
Such as the phoenix now towering behind her.
Every non-magis in the crowd kept their gaze fixed on the gigantic, golden creature, yet their ears strained to catch Theana's words.
She continued, her voice calm but commanding. "We are further blessed by the powers these spirits grant us," she said, "but such blessings come at a cost."
Her gaze swept the withered grass beneath her feet. The signs were clear. To summon or wield a spirit of such magnitude requires mana or life force.
Small displays of power draw from one's own strength, a fraction of energy easily replenished. But greater feats demand more. Life force itself, either from the caster, or absorbed from the surrounding nature.
Power, she explained, comes with price.
"All magis know the balance of life," she continued. "It is why we remain hidden. To prevent these gifts from becoming curses in untrained hands."
The wind shifted. The sky darkened unnaturally.
From above came a low, menacing roar.
A wyvern—massive and covered in swirling black smoke—swooped down, landing behind Theana. Its claws thudded into the earth, shaking the ground. Horses neighed in terror; riders scattered in panic.
And atop the wyvern sat Rokhan.
Every motion was deliberate. Every shadow of movement communicated controlled power and lethal precision. This, too, was part of Theana's plan—to reveal only a fraction of the magis' might, enough to command respect, enough to remind them that Graitan would not be trifled with.
"My nation will be protected by Rokhan," Theana said softly, yet with undeniable authority.
The wyvern descended fully, Rokhan dismounting with a steady, purposeful grace. He landed beside Theana, his face stern, unyielding, eyes locked on the people of Ep'sos—especially the emperor.
Lennix clicked his tongue in irritation. He disliked Rokhan, a man whose presence demanded respect. Yet even the emperor dared not speak, for the monstrous wyvern remained behind him, unchained and deadly.
Theana gestured subtly toward the group behind her.
"All those behind me," she explained, "carry similar forms of power. Talents from across Graitan, excelling in different fields. Together with me, they shall reform Epsos. My nation will remain protected by Rokhan. And Graitan shall be safeguarded, run by a new chancellor."
Her golden eyes met Lennix's, unwavering.
"I hope… you are able to accept our humble bargain, great emperor of Epsos."