God damn it.
That is all I could think as we trudged our way south to the city of Luminosity, making our way through forests, grasslands and through towns and villages, having to use old dusty cloaks like some common beggars.
Utterly pathetic.
All because of my damn moral compass, and I guess because of that idiot. I couldn't betray him, it doesn't matter how much power is offered, I will not betray for it. Especially power that stems from that damn, so called, abyss. Makes me shudder just thinking of the information I unearthed, information that will be my ticket to a new life.
I would rather get my power and authority through these types of means, than sacrificing innocents or tying myself to an ambiguous entity. I might sound naïve or idiotic to some, well, to the corrupt, ego-driven and power hungry nobles, I most likely do, but when have I ever really cared about them or fitting in with their cliques?
Anyway, we are close now, luckily the capital of the human empire is not that far away, throw in a couple of teleportation gates, some money changing hands here and there to keep ourselves hidden and bingo, a mile or two from freedom.
On the inside I was like this, the side of me not many people knew. On the outside, I was stoic and poised. Radiating confidence as we tried our best to reach our destination.
As were moving through a forested area on the outskirts of Luminosity, I knew the general location we were at, there should be some villages in front of us as we emerge from here, hopefully I'm not too late to warn them. We then picked up the pace, I couldn't go too quickly because my concubines were only Lord Mages, and were not really used to this type of activity.
However, after a short while longer, we finally saw the sunlight breaking through the tree line ahead of us, as if inviting us to cross the finish line and as we emerged into the wide open plains, what greeted us was simply... Hell. The villages were gone, the grassy plains reduced to an apocalyptic scene of bodies and weapons strewn about, blood, body parts and craters.
"Shit" I simply said, to which one of my concubines said soothingly "It seems that they were able to win, love. Have more faith." I shook my head "No, I knew they would win, even without prior notice from me, its just.... I hate to see all these senseless deaths, when I could have maybe been able to help avoid this, if I got here earlier, was more decisive." I sighed and then said "No matter, let us go, we can still be useful."
As I said this and we were about to move, we all heard explosions rattling off in the distance, and heavy auras flaring. Emperor Mages at least, are fighting over there I thought, and a lot of them.
Before I could turn and make my thoughts known to my concubines, a patrol of Lightborn mages saw us and rushed over shouting "Halt! What business do you have here?! Who are you!?"
I pulled down my worn hood, of the old cloak I was still wearing and said with my hands up "I am Aurelius Estoria, these are my concubines" I said as I nodded at them with my head "We have come with urgent news, but it seems I was a little late for some of it to be relevant." As I looked past them at the ruins.
The patrol looked on sceptically before the leader, a King Mage spoke "Why would the emperor of the human empire show up here? At a time like this? Dressed like a common criminal?!"
I nodded in understanding, It made sense they are on high alert because of the attack and now someone claiming to be Aurelius Estoria is here claiming to have information. It is a bit far fetched. I smiled knowingly then released my Emperor Mage aura briefly, the King Mage's face paled slightly from within his helmet, and the ones behind him were visibly shook.
Makes sense, the armour can only do so much when it comes to bridging the gap to higher level mages and enhancing them.
Then, I quickly grabbed a pendant from around my neck, it is something only the human emperor of the time is afforded, it is essentially an unique item, that not just identifies those wearing it as emperor, but is also a heirloom. So, it is very difficult to make a forgery.
It is an ancient magical artifact of the exotic level. Anyone with a shred of intelligence putting all this together can understand the implications. Not even mentioning a mage under the Lightborn's, they are all elites.
The King Mage, just as I thought, quickly straightened and said, "Sorry for the questioning, Lord Aurelius, it is just a... unique situation." He said with a slightly puzzled expression that I could see through the helmet visor.
I shook my head and said "No need to worry, I understand the position you are in." I then brought my arms down as I took a deep breath, before saying authoritatively, "I need to speak with Kyros. Take me to him, I have urgent news that he will need to know."
The King Mage team leader looked at me before popping his magi-tech helmet off with a twist then put it under his arm, as he addressed me seriously "I am sorry, Lord Aurelius, His Excellency has not appeared since breaking through, I'm not sure if he is here, well that is the going conclusion among us grunts, I can take you to Commander Balin, maybe he knows more."
I nodded my head as I realised a key piece of information, he has broken through? That damn monster. Yeah, it doesn't make sense why he would stay cooped up in his palace. Knowing him as I do, he would have laid waste to the cult that came to attack his city, in an arrogant manner of course, I thought as a smile played on my lips.
"Sure, take me to him." The King Mage nodded his head, popped his helmet back on with a twist and click. Then turned to his team to relay orders.
As we were all about to quickly head off to the headquarters of the Lightborn's military, to see the commander. I heard a scream and a figure of a mage blast into the distance. He looked to be one of the Lightborn's, from his colours and the armour. I turned to the King Mage and said "Hey, what is going on over there? I can sense Emperor Mages and could earlier too."
The King Mage said "The company commanders are currently facing the leaders of this assault, a group of Emperor Mages, they are essentially the last of this enemy force left from what I know."
I should go help out, I thought, it seems they are on the back foot, I could also use this in our upcoming negotiations. Ah, who am I trying to kid? I just can't handle innocents dying, when I could have helped.
"I will go help them clear out the leaders, take my concubines with you to the city, I will join you once this battle is over." I then headed in the direction of the action, before pausing and turning as I heard one of my concubines worried voice "Be careful Aurelius! You know better than any, how dangerous they are!" The other one replied "Exactly, don't die on us!"
I simply smiled cheekily, before saying "Don't miss me too much!" I saw them both give out an exasperated sigh, as I turned laughing lightly.
Time for battle, I am a little excited. It has been a few years since I got to stretch my legs, desk work probably made me rusty.
I grabbed the shabby cloak and pulled it off of me, no point wearing it now.
Also, I don't want them to question me because they don't recognise me, like what happened earlier, considering they are in battle, then I created an ice golem jumped into its hand and set off.