Time/Date: TC1853.01.20 – Early Evening
Location: Imperial Palace, Throne Room (sealed)
Over the communicator, Kael's voice carried an edge Tianrong had rarely heard from his son—genuine fear wrapped in barely controlled urgency. "Father, I... I'm with Amara. She's had a vision. About the three clans. About—"
The Emperor's hand tightened on the Dragon Throne's armrest, ancient wood creaking under pressure he hadn't meant to apply. Kael wouldn't activate the emergency protocol for paranoia or dramatics. The boy had been kidnapped eight years ago and hadn't used this channel even then.
Whatever Amara claimed to have seen it was catastrophic enough to shatter his son's composure.
"How immediate?" Tianrong's voice came out sharper than intended, but the two men standing before him had already gone rigid with new tension.
