The Empire was calm again.
Kael Veyris had finished his private audience with Seraphina, the teasing and authority balanced perfectly. The Empresses and Lyra were watching, some amused, some exasperated.
But Kael didn't linger.
He placed a hand over the air, feeling threads of the multiverse tug gently. A pull he could not ignore.
Kael (to himself): The Outerverse awaits.
In an instant, Root Authority flared faintly, Chaos energy pulsed, and the space around him warped.
Dragons paused midflight. Shadows and fox tails flickered. Even Lyra felt the pull of his presence leaving.
Lyra: Father...
Kael's voice was calm, confident.
"I'll be back soon. Handle the Empire.
Before anyone could protest, he stepped forward. The Empire dissolved around him like mist.
When he opened his eyes, he stood in a realm unlike any he had seen before the Outerverse.
Realms layered atop realms. Stars folded into impossible geometries. Gods and unknown entities shifted through planes.
Kael (smirking faintly): Let's see who thinks they can challenge me here.
The Outerverse trembled slightly, sensing his arrival.
And somewhere, beyond sight and comprehension, new threats and curiosities began to stir.