Year 1527 A.F. | Late Spring
Aurelion Prime — Empire of Valtherion
The bells of Aurelion Prime rang as they always did at sixth hour.
Measured. Orderly. Unhurried.
Merchants adjusted their stalls. Clerks finalized ledgers. Knights rotated watch positions atop the Inner Wall. Nothing about the sound suggested prophecy or upheaval—it was simply the sound of an empire continuing to exist.
Inside the Solar Palace, ink scratched across parchment.
Emperor Aurelius IX Solvanyr
"The grain shipments from Verdant Crown are delayed again?"
Chancellor Remian Holt
"Three days at most, Your Majesty. Duke Morvain assures compliance."
Aurelius exhaled slowly, then nodded.
"Then we wait three days. No letters of reprimand. Not yet."
The Emperor rose from his chair and moved to the tall windows overlooking the capital. From here, Valtherion looked eternal—white stone, gold trim, banners unmoving in the calm air.
Empires did not fall loudly.
They drifted, one small decision at a time.
....
Sanctum Concordia — Seat of the Holy Concord
Candles burned low in the Papal chamber.
Pope Severian IV
"The Emperor delays too often."
Cardinal Marcen
"Delay is not defiance, Holy Father."
Severian's fingers tapped the arm of his throne.
"It becomes defiance when it is habitual."
He turned his gaze toward the great stained-glass depiction of the Fivefold Light.
"Prepare envoys. I wish to remind the Empire where legitimacy is born."
....
Silvergrove — High Kingdoms of Sylvarae
Leaves shifted without wind.
Queen Althiriel Moonbloom
"Humans mark another year without collapse. Impressive."
Prince Caelion
"Temporary."
She smiled faintly.
"Everything is temporary. That does not make it unimportant."
Below the living palace, messengers prepared gifts—books, seeds, and treaties written in three languages.
The Empire of Valtherion would soon receive visitors.
....
Khar-Durim — The Deep Holds
Hammers rang against stone.
High King Brokk Ironvein
"Prices will rise."
Trade-Lord Varrin Goldmantle
"The Empire won't like that."
Brokk shrugged.
"The Empire never likes anything. They pay anyway."
A caravan manifest lay open on the stone table—destined for Aurelion Prime, stamped with imperial seals.
Commerce moved faster than politics.
....
Thalassyra — Free City of Azurewake
Ships crowded the harbor like scattered coins.
Councilor Maribel Sanz
"Valtherion is stable."
Councilor Demos
"Stability invites investment."
She nodded.
"And marriages."
Across the bay, a diplomatic vessel raised its sails.
....
Gor'Thak — Eastern War Plains
Dust carried the scent of iron.
Warchief Grum-Kar
"The humans grow comfortable."
Battle-Shaman Urga
"Comfort makes bones soft."
Grum-Kar grinned.
"Good. Let them soften."
The drums did not beat for war—yet.
....
Aurelion Prime — Solar Palace, Inner Wing
A cradle stood beside a sunlit window.
Empress Seraphina Solvanyr
"He sleeps longer than the others did."
Emperor Aurelius IX
"Let him."
The infant slept peacefully, unaware of treaties, borders, or expectations.
Outside, the Empire conducted its affairs.
Inside, history waited.
....
In the year 1527 A.F., no war was declared.
No crown fell.
No god spoke aloud.
And yet, across seven continents, everyone was preparing for what came next.