The hall of the Sovereign Council was carved from obsidian and star-iron, it's vaulted ceiling etched with constellations that glowed faintly even without flames or crystal.
Nine thrones, each vast and carved to reflect their individual Dominion formed a circle. In the center was a pillar of crystal that pulsed faintly with power, Primis flowed within the crystal anchoring the chamber to both earth and sky.
Within the Sovereign Council, decisions that shake worlds and shape futures are made. And within this Council hall sat Fenvaros, Auren's father.
He is the King of Blest Dominion, a Dominion who's lands are vast and harvests are plenty. His hair, black streaked with silver at the temples, framed a face carved from stern resolve and years of ruling. His red eyes full of wisdom and cunning attained only through years of living.
His aura was restrained but it's weight filled his space. He was a SS ranked power house, his mastery over Primis shimmered beneath the surface, refined to an advanced tier few could reach.
But, within the council, he was but one of the many powerful Therion that sat here. The strongest one of all, also sat among them.
The title Sovereign Aeris belonged to a man by the name Remule. An Aeris is forbidden from rulling a Dominion, they can only lead the council and protect the world from external threats. They were also a key decision making factor that determined the direction of a planet.
Remule leaned foward in his throne of Jade, his presence towering over the chamber like a storm pressing against fragile sails. His voice, when it came, was calm but absolute.
"We Therions have been calm for many millennia. As the recent Aeris I have a proposal"
The council stirred and the Queen of Bloom Dominion, a Dominion full of honey and nectar spoke,
"Aeris Remule, what is it that you are suggesting?"
Remule sat back, fingers laced together under his chin,
"The Galaxies are shifting and the boundaries between us is becoming thin. The mortal world had forgotten the true rulers."
His gaze swept the circle,
"We must expand our reach. We must claim footholds in the neighbouring universe before others of our universe do. If we wait, the tides of conquest will sweep over us and we will stagnate."
The council was filled with murmurs, some nodded in agreement, others frowned wary of venturing to a different Universe.
Remule's eyes, black like the abyss, narrowed,
"I call for a united plan. The Eight Dominions under one banner. Not just for conquest but for sovereignty."
The words hung in the air like a blade.
Fenvaros listened, his fingers tapped the table in silent rhythm. He was no stranger to expansion, he had many years back, led wars. He crushed rivals, defended his Dominion from outsiders but he had to rethink venturing to a different Universe.
[We need to be careful. Mortals may be weak but they are a danger in their diversity]
Before he could voice his opinion, the chamber door opened. A messenger, pale and breathless, entered and bowed so low his forehead touched the cold floor.
"Sires, a message by the Blest Dominion, Queen's maid."
His voice trembled at the pressure of the strongest Therions of their planet. He gulped before resuming,
"It concerns your son. Young Master Auren..."
Fenvaros was already on his feet, this very action silenced the messenger. The other Sovereigns stirred.
Some rose their brows and others whispered. Few things could pull a king from the council mid session and even fewer things could make the cool headed Fenvaros rise so quickly and shatter his composure.
"My apologies."
Fenvaros said, bowing his head in the barest gesture of respect,
"I shall depart. The council can resume without me"
Without waiting for approval, he strode from the chamber his cloak flaring like wings of night.
Fenvaros did not walk slowly. He moved with large steps, like a storm passing through. As he passed through several teleportation waypoints,the maid's words echoed in his mind,
"Young Master Auren has Awakened"
For years, Auren had been his quiet terror.
His birth had been harrowing, the child did not cry and had not even breathed until thirty long seconds after his arrival. Fenvaros remembered those seconds vividly than any battlefield.
He remembers Seraphina's bloodless lips, the midwives discussion and sympathy, his own heart and the way it pounded within his chest. Then, when he heard the ragged cry, weak but alive, sweet relief had flooded his heart.
But the years that followed brought little comfort.
Auren grew well but not as other children did. Sometimes in school he would collapse without warning, as if invisible strings had been cut off. Sometimes he stared at nothing, unblinking and unfeeling.
His son's eyes were dead to the world, he did not have the joys or hunger of youth. Those eyes were hollow and many times Fenvaros had feared that the boy was just a hollow vessel destined to die before his time.
Hearing that he had awakened?
It was like receiving a verdict from the Threads above that his son was whole.
Fenvaros arrived at the palace quickly, he can't even remember the roads his feet took. The guards and servants bowed low but none dared to slow his stride.
He could hear voices in the dining room and the corridors seemed to blur as he arrived within the meal chamber.
He pushed the doors wide and there he was.
Auren sat by the table, his silver hair a bit damp, his skin was flushed from his mother's codling and his eyes, those cerulean eyes, like his wife's, that had always seemed distant and veiled were now burning with light.
A light that contained, need, hunger and a spark of self.
Fenvaros' heart , ironclad by millennia of ruling, nearly broke.
"Son."
His deep magnetic voice trembled, then laughter burst from within him. It was deep, wild and unrestrained joyful laughter.
He crossed the room in two strided and pulled Auren into his arms, clutching him as if he would never let go. Auren stiffened at first but did not resist and hugged back.
"He lives" Fenvaros whispered into his son's hair,
"He truly lives"
Seraphina, still radiant with joy, captured the moment in her terminal. Then she quickly spoke, words tumbling with excitement,
"It was a double awakening Fenvaros! Both our bloodlines!"
Fenvaros drew back, eyes wide,
"Both?"
He looked at Auren and Auren sheepishly gazed back at his father. Fenvaros was awed, a dual inheritance is not unheard of but it is a rarity among rarities. It is a blessing of fate itself upon his Dominion.
Auren who was still held by his father couldn't help but think of his early childhood. He really was like a puppet with no soul.
The word Therion had slipped from his mother's tongue as she spoke earlier before his father's arrival. Fragments from early childhood memories surfaced as he remembers being taught about their world.
[Therions can be similar to Divine beasts. Created from Primis.]
Then there was that word, Primis.
[Ah! Primis is the fusion of Qi and Mana so us Therions are made of both]
Primis is the essence of existence and to master and command Primis is to command existence.
Auren looked down at his hands and they trembled faintly. They did not tremble from weakness but from the power he believed he could wield.
While still in his father's hands, Auren took advantage and stated his wish,
"Father, I wish to begin cultivating"
The dining room fell silent.
Fenvaros blinked, "Absolutely not. Your body is still...."
Seraphina cut in, eyes still alight, "He can. The Primis within him is now awake. If he doesn't train his bloodlines he'll die to it"
Fenvaros realized that his wife had a point. If bloodline powers aren't controlled via Primis then it would kill the Therion from too much power.
"I will train him myself, Fenvaros you will summon the finest tutors. Our son was born for this."
Fenvaros hesitated, he had doubted, feared and even despaired for the boy. To see him awake now with such fire felt like a dream he did not want to disturb. At last, he nodded, a smile breaking across his stern face,
"Then so be it. Let him walk the path of strength"
The chamber brightened with relief and celebration. Auren was helpless against his mother as she continued to coddle and cup his cheeks. His father's laughter shook the walls and his brothers watched him with pride and joy.
Auren even witnessed the maids, butlers and servants celebrating his life. It was then they he realized something,
[It is a blessing to be reborn in this family.]
All this light and joy fell within his eyes. He had been helpless and bound once. He had been dragged through worlds like a chained beast and now,
Now he was blessed.
"Father, thank you for believing in me." Auren said solemnly.
"Mother, thank you for giving me life." Auren's gaze landed on his mother.
Seraphina was touched and silently shed tears while Fenvaros stroked his beard in slight embarrassment.
"Caeltith, Rai'en, thank you for taking me on runs and teaching me things. Brother Raelith and brother Vorren too."
Caeltith rose a brow before smirking,
"Why the sudden sentiments? We're brothers it's what we do."
"Stop being so mushy. It's giving me toothache "
Rai'en said as he rubbed Auren's hair.
[Thank you. Truly]
Auren smiled softly even as they resumed their meal. The time was late afternoon and evening was settling in.
As the sun set, so did the silent strength in Auren's heart.