After the audience with the High Priest of the Order of the Primordial Flame, the Emperor of Mythoria led his family and trusted advisors into the private chambers of the palace. The grand throne room, with its echoes of power and history, was left behind as they entered a quieter, more intimate space where decisions of great importance were made behind closed doors.
The room was richly furnished, with tall windows that overlooked the vast capital of Mythoria, its spires glimmering in the late afternoon sun. The emperor took his seat at the head of a long table, the queen sitting beside him, followed by their children—two princes and three princesses, each with their own seat at the imperial table. A few high-ranking nobles and advisors also took their places, their faces etched with concern.
The emperor let out a long breath, leaning back in his chair. "We must discuss this offer. The Order of the Primordial Flame… They are clearly powerful, but they are also an unknown force. I need to know what each of you thinks before we make any decision."
The queen, regal and composed, was the first to speak. Her eyes, sharp and thoughtful, turned to her husband as she considered her words.
"We know nothing of these people, of this… flame they speak of," she began, her tone measured. "It is dangerous to allow an unfamiliar group with unknown motives into our empire. They could be a threat, seeking to undermine our authority. The floating island, the divine creatures—these are not the actions of a simple faith. They could be hiding their true intentions behind these displays of power."
She looked toward her eldest son, who she knew was eager to explore the Order further. "I understand the desire to learn more, but we must be cautious. This empire has stood strong for generations because we have been careful. We cannot let curiosity blind us to potential dangers."
The eldest prince, who had been silent during the queen's speech, now leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a natural air of authority that marked him as the heir to the throne.
"I understand your caution, Mother," he said, "but I believe we should at least investigate what they have to offer. The Primordial Flame—whatever it is—clearly holds great power. Did you see the island, the eagles? They are not simple symbols. These people are different, yes, but that does not make them a threat. It makes them an opportunity."
The emperor's gaze shifted to his son, considering his words carefully.
"Think about it," the prince continued. "If this flame is real, and if it truly offers the strength and enlightenment they claim, then wouldn't it be better for us to understand it? To control it, even? We could be the first empire to learn its secrets and harness its power. That could put us far ahead of our rivals."
The second prince, younger and more reserved than his brother, spoke next, his voice cautious but curious. "There is merit in what you say, brother, but we must tread carefully. If we align ourselves too quickly, we may find ourselves bound to something we do not fully understand. What if this flame demands more than we are willing to give? What if it requires sacrifices that could weaken the empire?"
One of the princesses, the youngest of the royal siblings, nodded in agreement. "We cannot rush into this. The emperor must protect the empire above all else. If this flame is truly powerful, then we should learn about it—quietly. Let the Religious Studies class go to their sanctuary, but we should keep our distance until we know more."
The eldest princess, however, seemed to lean more toward her elder brother's point of view. "I think we should send our scholars and nobles to learn. If they return with knowledge and power, we will be the first to benefit from this new faith. We can observe from a distance and decide later whether to involve ourselves directly."
As the royal siblings shared their opinions, the emperor turned his attention to his most trusted advisors. These men and women had been by his side for years, guiding the empire with wisdom and insight.
One of the older advisors, a gray-haired man with sharp eyes, spoke first. "Your Majesty, I agree with the prince's assessment. We should learn more about this Order of the Primordial Flame, but without committing to it fully. If they prove to be a threat, we can sever ties before any harm is done. But if they offer power and knowledge, we can use that to strengthen the empire."
Another advisor, a younger woman who had been an ambassador to other nations, offered a different perspective. "We should also be aware of how the other empires and kingdoms might react. If they see us aligning with a new, powerful faith, they could perceive it as a threat. We must handle this delicately, or we risk provoking conflict."
The emperor listened closely, weighing every word. His family and advisors had provided much to consider, but ultimately, the decision would rest with him.
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the emperor. He sat quietly for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of his chair as he contemplated the choices before him.
Finally, he straightened in his seat, his voice calm but resolute. "We will proceed with caution. The Religious Studies class will be allowed to visit the sanctuary of the Order of the Primordial Flame. They will learn what they can, and they will report back to us with their findings."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "As for the royal family and the nobles, we will wait. We will observe. If this flame offers something of value, then we will consider a more direct involvement. But for now, we will not commit ourselves to something we do not fully understand."
The queen nodded approvingly, satisfied with her husband's careful approach. The eldest prince, while eager for more, accepted the decision with a respectful nod.
The emperor stood, signaling the end of the discussion. "Let it be known that we will move forward with caution, but with an open mind. The Order of the Primordial Flame has caught our attention. Now we will see if they are worthy of our trust."
As the emperor's decision was finalized, the advisors began making preparations to inform the Order of the Primordial Flame of the empire's decision. Messengers would be sent to the academy to inform the Religious Studies class, and arrangements would be made for their journey to the sanctuary.
The royal family rose from the table, each member lost in their own thoughts. The empire had taken its first step toward engaging with the Primordial Flame, but the path ahead remained uncertain.
The emperor, watching as his family left the chamber, allowed himself a brief smile. The empire would not rush into anything, but they would not ignore the potential power of the flame either. He had made his decision, and now, only time would reveal whether it was the right one.