The bells rang twelve times.
No more.
A low hum swept across the imperial capital—a resonance of ancient spellwork embedded into the stonework of the city, reverberating from the spires down to the hidden veins of the earth.
The entire city shifted. Streets cleared. Windows shut. Even the birds knew to fall silent.
The Absolute Imperial Court Assembly had begun.
Atop the floating platform known as Heaven's Oath, a monolithic obsidian disc that hovered miles above the heart of the city, preparations had already been made.
It was no ordinary hall. The ground was layered with starlight-forged glass, so that every footstep shimmered as if one walked across the night sky.
Giant arches of gold and void-crystal rose into the open air, inscribed with the decrees of emperors long dead. Hovering lanterns of blue flame floated above the chamber like minor moons.
The Court of Stars, they called it. And only the most dangerous names in the empire walked its floor.
