The throne room was silent again.
the faint hum of the Sovereign System pulsed through the walls like a heartbeat.
Kael stood before his throne, one hand resting on its armrest.
The air shimmered as mana lines crawled across the marble floor, forming concentric circles of light.
[Command Execution: High Command Awakening Sequence Initiated]
[Target Profiles — 10 Confirmed]
[Re-constructing Physical Shells … 99% Complete]
Alyss knelt at the foot of the dais, eyes lowered. "The chamber is stable, my Lord.
Kael gave a single nod. "Then let them wake.
The light flared.
Ten pillars of radiance erupted from the marble. Mana rippled through the air like a storm—heat, frost, shadow, and lightning weaving together until ten distinct silhouettes took form.
The first to move was a woman of silver-white armor and golden wings. Her eyes glowed like twin suns.
Seraphine Valis, Supreme Commander of Light.
She blinked, confusion flashing before recognition bloomed. Her knee struck the floor in one fluid motion.
"My Emperor's will is my dawn.
Her voice trembled, the sound both strong and uncertain.
Behind her, a low growl rolled through the air.
A towering dragonkin stepped forward, obsidian scales glinting beneath heavy armor.
Dravok Ironmaw, Lord of Armies.
He dropped to one knee, claws scraping marble.
So… we live again. My flame burns for you, Emperor.
Kael's gaze softened. You live—truly this time.
The light dimmed, revealing a figure cloaked in shadow. She smiled faintly, silver hair drifting like smoke.
Nyra Shadeveil, Mistress of Shadows.
Still dramatic as ever,she teased, her voice sultry yet uncertain. Was this another of your experiments, Kael?
Her tone cracked at his name. Realization struck her, and she bit her lip before bowing low.
My Emperor… forgive me. I spoke out of turn.
Kael chuckled softly. "It's fine. You remember me—that's enough."
A cold wind swept through the chamber.
From within the last pillar of gray light emerged a giant wrapped in dark armor, eyes burning with azure flame.
Toran Gravesend, Guardian of the Dead.
He looked down at his gauntlet as though testing the weight of existence.
"This body… no decay, no chains."
His voice echoed hollow yet calm.
"Then this must be your doing, Emperor."
He knelt without hesitation.
Kael nodded once.
A hammer strike rang through the air next. Sparks flared as a stocky dwarf stumbled out of the light, coughing.
Eryndel Frostforge, Master of Forging.
He wiped soot from his beard and scowled. "By the Forge, ye brought me back mid-project? What in blazes did ye do this time, Kael?"
Alyss hid a smile behind her hand.
Kael smirked faintly. Apparently, I saved you again.
The dwarf grunted but bowed anyway, muttering, Aye … then I owe you one more masterpiece.
Soft bells chimed. A gentle light formed into a woman clad in white robes, hair flowing like moonlight.
Lyria Moonbloom, High Priestess of Sanctum.
She looked around the hall, awe filling her gaze.
"Such purity of mana… it feels like the world is singing."
Then, seeing Kael, she bowed deeply, voice trembling.
"To awaken to your light again… I thank the Divine for this mercy."
Kael's heart tightened at her sincerity. "You thank the wrong god, Lyria."
Next came thunder.
A wolf-beastman crashed down on one knee, fur bristling, eyes burning gold.
Rauk Storm-Born, Vanguard General.
He sniffed the air, tail flicking. "Different smell. Different sky." His head lifted toward Kael. "Still the same Emperor. My fangs are yours."
Kael raised a brow. "You always were quick to adapt."
Rauk grinned, sharp teeth flashing. "That's why you keep me alive."
The next awakening came in near silence.
A shimmer of air, a flicker of form—and a spirit woman materialized, translucent but solid, eyes like pools of still water.
Isha Silentwind, Phantom Assassin.
She said nothing, merely bowed low.
Her gaze lingered on Kael for a heartbeat longer than necessary before she vanished into mist and reappeared behind him, kneeling in perfect stillness.
Kael exhaled softly. "Still watching my back, Isha."
A deep hum filled the chamber. Sigils rotated above the ninth pillar as a robed human stepped forward, runes glowing across his staff.
Magnus Voidhand, Grand Magus of Arcana.
He adjusted his glasses with deliberate calm, though his fingers trembled. "Fascinating. Mana concentration beyond simulation thresholds."
He turned toward Kael. "My Emperor, how did you achieve transfer of cognitive constructs into matter?
Kael smiled slightly. You tell me.
The scholar chuckled, the sound s slightly shaking. "I suppose I will." He bowed, robes rustling.
The last pillar burned pure white. From it emerged a woman of crystal and steel, eyes of pale blue fire.
Vara Soulforged, City Core Guardian.
She looked down at her hands, flexing fingers of living metal. "Organic sensation… confirmed. Emotional response present."
Her gaze lifted to Kael. "My Emperor, why do I feel warmth upon seeing you?"
Kael's answer was quiet. "Because you're alive, Vara.
The glow faded. The throne room stood still once more.
Ten generals knelt in a semicircle, the pillars gone, the light absorbed into the crystal veins of the floor.
Kael stepped forward slowly. The sound of his boots echoed through the hall.
Their eyes followed him—some filled with awe, others with disbelief.
He looked over them, one by one—the warriors, the scholars, the priests, the shadows he had forged long ago.
Each of them had once been lines of code. Now, they breathed.
Alyss moved beside him and knelt as well, head bowed.
"My Lord… they are yours once more."
Kael lifted a hand. The mana lights dimmed. Silence settled.
[All Units: Synchronization Complete]
[Loyalty Index: 100%]
[Awaiting Command.]
Kael's voice was calm, low, but it carried through the hall like thunder.
Look around you.
They raised their eyes. The stained-glass windows glowed with a strange sunrise—rays of real light streaming through colored crystal.
"This… is not the game you remember," Kael said quietly. "The server is gone. The code erased."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
This city, this palace, all of you—were transferred. We stand now in a living world.
Murmurs rippled through the ranks. Seraphine's eyes widened; Magnus froze mid-breath; even Dravok's tail stiffened.
Nyra's voice broke the silence. "Transferred? You mean… we're alive?"
Kael nodded once.
"Alive—and in a realm unknown to us."
Lyria's hands trembled around her staff. "Then the gods have moved us?"
Kael's lips curved faintly. "No. The System did."
The blue interface appeared again, cold and merciless
.
[World: Ethernia — Confirmed]
[Population Conversion Success Rate: 100%]
The generals looked at each other, the weight of reality pressing down like gravity.
Kael raised his chin. "Our empire endures—not as data, but as flesh and soul. From this day forth, Ebonheart shall rise again in Ethernia."
He turned toward Alyss. "Prepare the city. Summon the division commanders. The world will soon learn that its new Emperor has awakened."
Alyss bowed deeply. "At once, my Lord."
The generals followed, voices uniting in a single vow that shook the hall.
"For the Emperor. For Ebonheart."
And as their words echoed, the Sovereign System whispered in the depths of Kael's mind—cold, mechanical, eternal.
[Empire Reconstruction Phase — Begin.]