The ancient city was constructed on the tail end of the Stenna Mountains, the single longest continuous mountain range in the world, that extended from out northern border to the Boreas Empire, and stood a stalwart defender for the Astrapi Kingdom against the Luminous Empirein the west.

Katai-Verta was built of old, wet grey stone and dark brown timber, the same as the mountain it rested on, making it seem as though the city and the summit were just an extension of each other, with one embodying the spirit of wild, untamed beauty piercing into the the ever present storm clouds above, and the other of human creativity and indominance, as it spilled and spread unstoppably onto the surrounding hills and plains.

Nizam was especially enthralled by it, as he felt all those tales and legends he'd heard of this wonderous city were made manifest before his eyes, where as Cyrus simply appreciated it for it's beauty; but I was instead reminiscing of the last time I had this glorious city and it's tragic end, where it was bathed in apocalyptic solar flares and tidal waves of hellfire.

Indeed this city was the site of a great battle between me and Aurelius in my past life, in which we turned this once cosmopolitan metropolis into a barren wasteland of ash and dust, where you could not even glimpse the ruins of this once mighty city, while the stubborn soot of that battle clung so heavily onto the surrounding air that it suffocated those foolish enough to try and investigate, or pilfer whatever wealth was hidden beneath the then toppled mountain.

It was as if a noxious fume of abominable miasma, born from the pulverized bones and crushed legacy of this nation, cursed all who entered it with a fiendish end.

"Brother, it's time to enter the city!" Cyrus' excited voice echoed out in my ears, as he rushed to the door.

"Alright." I replied, as the rest of us followed his impatient lead.

We had been informed days ago that Ardaanin's size would prove to be difficult to accommodate in the ancient city, so we agreed to dismount the behemoth before the city's gates and continue the short journey to the venue in a more mundane looking carriage.

Once outside, we found our mode of transport ready and waiting; a beautifully carved black carriage, with silver linings that only extenuated it's elegant design, pulled by half a dozen prized grey Argyros stallions, the famed horses of the Astrapi Kingdom; while the eclipsing sun sigil of my empire was sculpted by a master's hands on it's doors.

Though interestingly enough, I noticed the presence of a second symbol next to the empire's, on the sides of the graceful, masterwork carriage, which was that of a wrathful dark dragon over a ruined city.

My brothers puffed out their chests as they too noticed this certain detail, especially Nizam who nodded his head in acceptance, as though it was only right to do so.

"I hope everything is to your liking, my lords." The head emissary, who I since then learned was named Hyetia, said reassuredly after seeing my brothers' satisfied expressions.

"It is." I responded. "I shall thank the Storm King myself for his overwhelming and impecable hospitality."

"Please don't mention it, my lord. This is our duty as your hosts." He quickly replied with a deep bow, before he moved to the front of the party to guide us inside.

Once we boarded the carriage, we began to move under the lead of Hyetia and his thousand followers of court officials and soldiers, as my one hundred Palace Guards instantly surrounded us, while five hundred Diomedes Knights took the rear and another two hundred Chimera Knights flew majestically overhead.

The reason for all their presence was not simply for our protection, since Abraham's, Isaac's and Leonid's might alone was more than enough for that, as these three alone were more than enough to wipe out all the Astrapi Kingdom's Military.

No the reason for all these hundreds of men's attendance was the distinct purpose of projecting our overwhelming power and paralyzing prestige to all who would be in attendance this year.

Even if this was meant as a peaceful function, meant to facilitate amicable and cordial relations between this world's powers, it did not mean that silent wars would not be fought in private talks and silent corridors, away from prying eyes and ears; and the more power one possessed the more leverage he or she would command in these subtle duels of national interest.

Once inside Katai-Verta, Nizam began to gush over the city, acting as though every pebble on the road side was a ancient artifact, much to my amusement and happiness, seeing him so unusually animated, while Cyrus simply founded it grating to the ears, as he told him to stop the lecture, bring the two to blows, had I not stopped them.

"Brother look! They're all kneeling." Cyrus then said, when he turned his attention back out the window.

"That they are." I expressionlessly answered.

"Why?" He asked, finding it strange that these people who were not our subjects would kneel before us.

"It's because we're strong enough that they must." I calmly told him, knowing full well the mockery we received after my past life's civil war ended, and how little face people cared to show us then.

Eventually we reached the foot of the mountain, where the nobility separate themselves from the common rabble, before we then began to climb up the cobbled, and gradually widening streets, till we reached half way up the enormous peak, where a single, solitary building stood.

The Raging Storm Citadel, home of the Storm God's descendants, the palace whose name is coloured in both renown and infamy upon the many history books who mention it's great deeds; the ancient Thuella Fortress.

Once there, we exited the carriage and beheld the ruling family of Apethus, with King Aegaeon the fifth at the front, while his wife, Queen Aella and their three children, two older girls of eighteen and thirteen and a boy of eight, flanked him on both sides.

"I welcome the Ruinous Dragon and Eclipse Emperor into our lands." Aegaeon proclaimed, his thundering voice booming powerfully, as he deeply bowed, causing his greyish hair, the colour of storm clouds to slightly fall over his face and eyes, which were of the same shade.

"Thank you for your hospitality King Aegaeon." I replied with an ever so slight bow of my own, as I motioned for the guards to bring forth the two large chests they carried.

"It is not the tradition of the Eclipse Empire to come empty handed to another's house. So please, except this humble present I have prepared for you." I lightly said, as the men opened the first chest to reveal a glittering array of silver ornaments and accessories, such earrings, necklaces and chalices, while the second was a collection of toys and stuffed animals; all inlaid with precious gems.

"Thank you my lord, for your precious gifts." He stoically replied, while his children behind him were all eyeing the second chest excitedly.

I merely nodded in reply, before Queen Aella politely said "You must be exhausted from your long journey, my lords. If you'd like to rest, then we have your rooms ready of course; but if you would rather not, then you are more than welcome to join the others who've arrived before you in the banquet hall."

"We're more than happy to take you up on that offer of rest, lady Aella. But my Grand Vizier is longing to reconnect with some old friends, I'm afraid." I casually answered, having no interest in joining the fighting ring before I have a few thing in order.

"Of course." She calmly nodded with a polite smile, as she turned to her attendants, causing two of them to quickly bow to her, before saying "They will show you to your chosen destinations, my lords."

"Thank you." I said, as we followed after the maid to our designated rooms, while Isaac followed the professional looking older man in the other direction.

"Any news of her?" I asked Isaac the moment we were alone, and the guards had all but made sure that no prying ears were present where they shouldn't.

"Not yet, sire." He replied, with a disappointed shake of the head.

"Keep searching." I coldly commanded, feeling as though I was running out of time to find her.

"Of course, my liege." Isaac nodded, before he vanished from the room.

"What about the host from Sophentia?" I asked again, as I turned to Horus.

"They should arrive by tomorrow, sire." He answered, having already asked a few maids about several envoys, most of whom we didn't care much for, in an attempt to obfuscate our true targets.

Nodding, I turn to look at Leonid, saying "Make sure you keep it discreet. I want no one knowing our next destination, if all goes well."

"As you say sire. But I feel compelled to reiterate that though I will do my best, and the fact that he owes me a great favour, I still can not guarantee the acceptance of your proposal, my liege. Especially when it concerns the current, notoriously anti-social Strategus of Sophientia. I doubt my friend can achieve what you ask of him."

"Just secure me that private talk with him, and I'll handle the rest." I calmly said, my damaged mind a typhoon of circling thoughts.