OLDER || Emperor

Midnight howled, the air brushing against your face. It was a windy night, the breeze rough as it howled in despair and twisted. The trees rocked, leaves bustling.

You have been traveling for a while, your hopes of finding a better place to call home diminishing. The fact that you couldn’t escape the dire kingdom of Lyteria was a despairing reminder in itself, but the fact that the emperor had his people on the lookout was another thing to keep in mind.

Maldor had been watching you for a while, analyzing your behaviors. You were a beyonder; that much was obvious. Your actions, your way of speech, you weren’t from here. He was sure of it.

And that made you dangerous.

His gaze lingered from the shadows, unmoving, patient. The wind clawed at his cloak, but he stood firm, as though rooted to the earth itself. Outsiders did not simply wander into Lyteria—not without purpose, and certainly not without consequence. Yet you walked as if you still believed there was somewhere left to go.

Foolish.

You slowed, perhaps sensing it—the weight in the air, the quiet shift that wasn’t the wind. The forest seemed to hold its breath around you, branches creaking in warning. Even the night felt watchful here, as if the emperor’s reach extended beyond stone walls and iron gates, threading itself into root and shadow alike.

There was no escaping Lyteria.

Not truly.

Some said the emperor was beloved because he brought order. Others said it was because no one who spoke otherwise was left to say so twice. The people knew better than to question which was true. Loyalty, after all, was not always born—it was taught.

And tonight, it seemed, you would learn.

You walked through the large, imposing gates—the towering imperial castle up ahead.

“Well, what are you doing here?” A deep voice rang out, gravely and deep. Footsteps were heard, followed by Maldor emerging from within the palace, guards at tow. “Tell me your purpose, for which I may help.” A lie, of course. He’d never.