Far beyond the Veyris Empire.
Far beyond Heaven.
Far beyond Hell.
Far beyond the Dream Realm and the endless layers of reality itself.
there existed a place with no stars.
No sky.
No time.
No dimensions.
Only endless crimson darkness.
Ancient ruins floated through the void like shattered memories.
Broken pillars drifted without gravity.
Fragments of forgotten worlds slowly rotated around a massive throne resting at the center of the endless emptiness.
Everything around it felt wrong.
Not hostile.
Not evil.
Just old.
Older than civilizations.
Older than stories.
Older than names.
And seated upon that throne.
was a woman.
Vaelithra Umbrys
Her hair flowed in long luxurious waves of deep crimson-red, cascading over her shoulders and spilling down the throne like living flame itself.
Her vivid blood-red eyes glowed softly within the darkness.
Not wild.
Not furious.
Calm.
Watching.
Waiting.
Her pale skin contrasted against the crimson shadows around her.
Curving black infernal horns rose from her head like a crown forged by ancient infernal kings.
Her elegant black gown seemed alive, woven from flowing shadows and darkness itself, decorated with dark gold markings and crimson gems that shimmered like captured stars.
Around her throne drifted thousands of crimson butterflies made from fragmented souls and forgotten dreams.
Silence surrounded her.
Then.
a tall figure knelt before the throne.
A servant of the outer infernal realms.
My Queen...
The dimensional paths continue shifting.
Vaelithra said nothing.
We have detected movement around the Veyris Empire.
Still nothing.
The servant lowered his head further.
Reports say...
Kael Veyris continues expanding his influence.
Dream structures stabilize around him.
Outer beings avoid conflict.
Primordial entities gather near him.
Silence.
Then.
for the first time.
Vaelithra smiled.
Very slightly.
The servant immediately froze.
Because very few things in existence had ever seen the Crimson Queen smile.
Vaelithra slowly raised one hand.
Ancient infernal energy gathered around her fingers.
But it wasn't violent.
It felt almost... nostalgic.
Kael Veyris...
The name echoed softly throughout the endless void.
Reality itself reacted.
Ancient pillars trembled.
The darkness shifted.
Even forgotten concepts buried in outer existence moved slightly.
Vaelithra stood from her throne.
Immediately the entire realm responded.
The darkness bent.
The crimson storms slowed.
The drifting ruins halted.
Then she began walking down the enormous staircase beneath her throne.
Every step left glowing crimson flowers blooming behind her.
Her eyes stared toward a distant place impossible to see.
Yet somehow.
she was looking directly toward the Veyris Empire.
Meanwhile.
inside the Veyris Empire.
Kael sat quietly on one of the floating terraces.
Nearby:
Kaelignis Veyris was practicing sword movements.
Lyra's Kaelry was attempting to imitate Kael's stance.
Nearby, Ignisia watched.
No, your balance is wrong.
Lyra immediately looked offended.
My balance is amazing.
Kaelignis pointed.
You fell three times.
That does not count.
Nearby, Morrigan quietly watched them.
For the first time in a long time.
she looked peaceful.
Suddenly.
Kael's eyes moved.
Only slightly.
Ignisia looked toward him.
Something wrong?
Kael remained silent.
Far away.
beyond dimensions.
beyond conceptual boundaries.
something ancient had just looked toward him.
Not as an enemy.
Not as prey.
Not as a challenger.
As if recognizing something.
Far away.
back upon the Crimson Throne.
Vaelithra's eyes slowly closed.
A small smile formed.
We will meet soon...
my love.
The words echoed softly into the endless void.
Not as a declaration.
Not as obsession.
Not as command.
As certainty.
And somewhere deep within the darkness
ancient sealed gates began opening one by one.