Chapter 22: His Eminence

Myez was dead, and Izalith expected the group due back soon, but the Reliquary said to meet the Emperor in the middle of the continent. Thinking a question: "Will I meet the Founder where the Emperor is?" The Reliquary erupted within his mind with an answer.

"Izalith has been following since you left. She'll be where he is and pretend she was there the whole time."

"Seriously?"

He spoke aloud before the others looked to him and he sighed softly.

"A little bird told me we should head to where the Emperor is. Izalith will meet us there, so let's go."

Valkyr smirked softly and held a hand out.

"Hurry, the miasma is returning. I can get us to his war camp."

The other three grabbed her arm, and with an orange shine, their surroundings changed once again. It was hot, and dry. This teleport thing was all too convenient, he adored it. Iskatl couldn't help but sigh softly. Valkyr pulled Kouga's helmet out and handed it to him, before he put it on.

"So, Iskatl. You want to stop the war? I do too, I have a personal vendetta against the ones involved, and I want this war over and done with. I am not your enemy, I can promise you that."

The quartet approached the fortress which had a shimmering light around it, as if it were hidden from sight, yet clearly it wasn't for them, probably an anti dragon enchantment of sorts. They saw guards along the walls of the stone fortress, and one raised a hand only for the gate to be raised. A man with striking blue hair, as well as blue eyes stood beyond the veil, and beckoned them forth, only for the quartet to approach. An intense light radiated from him, and he held his hand out, looking at him closer, with the Reliquary, Iskatl saw his name: Emperor Astalon Thulvane the 27th.

Iskatl took a knee the moment they were beyond the veil, and his party followed close behind. Astalon smiled, and looked at the four, as he smiled the light that escaped his body intensified all the more. It felt like they were in the presence of an Angel.

"I've heard so much about you all in only a day. You single-handedly slew the Emerald Tyrant, and you're traveling with the Moon Maiden herself, the Lady in Black, and the Wrath of Alkutha? You are all so impressive. Moments before, I've also been made aware you four took out a Dragon Priest."

Iskatl raised an eyebrow as he looked up to the Emperor.

"How do you know that already?"

"Your Lady Izalith is present and informed me of your quest, and now that you're here before me, I can only assume you were successful. Come, my Champions. You all will make this war truly trivial."

The four arose, and followed the Emperor within the fortress who guided them along the path. Within were a plethora of soldiers, all training in the fortress, all gathering. Something big was going down, and soon. Dragon corpses lie in the fields. This fortress was much larger than its outward appearance led one to believe, that was for sure.

"I name you four my Draco War Suppression Team. You will exist in order to end this war, and slaughter the remaining Priests, then Velika. I will support you all but I need you to swear fealty to me. It is necessary."

"I swear my undying loyalty."

"My fists are yours, your Eminence."

"May the Moon guide you along the path to victory."

"May Chaos take hold of your enemies."

As they all did this, a bright light washed over them, as they felt their bodies coursing with mana.

"Rise, Champions of Heaven."

"Notice: Emperor Astalon is an Aasimar, son of one of the Twelve Angels. Help him, and he may help you learn how to reach Heaven's palace."

Iskatl rose first, and the other three followed suit. It was only natural he was the leader, as a World Serpent who wouldn't follow him. Iskatl gave the Emperor a salute before Kouga mimicked him.

"There's no need for that. Members of Izalith's troupe need not follow military customs around me. Okay?"

Astalon smiled as he exited his war tent, and expected the others to follow. They did without question, Iskatl looked around, and he could sense his mana and Astalon's were tied, so many people's mana gathered at Astalon's back, making that light behind him all the more intense.

"There lie a few dragons a little too close to my fortress. I trust you four can handle it? I need not have my troops waste their numbers and our battle preparations, correct?"

"Yes, your Eminence."

Iskatl looked to Kouga, then Amani and Valkyr. This was what they needed to do to end the war, so this is what they were going to do.

Exiting the fortress, Amani charged up a multitude of her light wisps, shooting dragons from the sky. Afterward, a bright white light followed each of her beams and the dragons died almost instantly. About twelve died from that one barrage. Was this the Emperor's power?

A soft sigh as Iskatl watched this, before he closed his eyes and let a pillar of fire erupt from his hand, only to send it forth. There were significantly more than a "few" dragons outside the fortress, the fire burning hotter than before, his fire more honed than he could even imagine. Then, a pillar of light followed the pillar of flame and the dragons fell. So this was the mana connection Astalon forced unto them. This would truly make the war trivial. Dragons fell, as quick as they appeared and Iskatl looked into the distance and saw a crimson haired woman staring back at him. She wasn't his mother, her eyes were lilac, and she wielded an obsidian sword similar to his own.

Who was that? A soft exhalation as he looked to her, her mana was immense, and greater than even his own mana. His eyes widened, before Valkyr waved her cloak, and they alongside various corpses were back in the fortress.

"Please do not command me mentally again, your Eminence."

"I apologize, but you all didn't hear me shouting so it was only natural. Moonlight and fire truly mix perfectly with Heavenly light. Wonderful."