REAL WORLD — COUNCIL OF EMPERORS
The white chamber felt lifeless.
Cold.
Devoid of any warmth.
According to Vorso the Smiling, King of Games, the place desperately needed color.
Sitting carelessly in his chair, he observed the other rulers in silence… before suddenly bursting into uncontrollable laughter.
The King of Infinite Resources?
To him, nothing more than a beggar.
The Twins?
Hopelessly outdated. Trapped in their armor and their decorative little swords.
Vorso kept laughing, unable to contain himself.
Then his gaze fell upon the Goat.
And that was the final straw.
— HAHAHAHA!
What is an animal doing here?!
Several rulers turned toward him.
The only one who truly amused Vorso in this room was Isaac.
Behind his glasses, the scientist's eyes shone with excitement.
He was preparing something.
He always was.
The Goat stared directly at Vorso.
— Some humans are no better than animals, he said in a deep voice.
And disrespect toward my kind will lead to another global war.
Vorso shrugged.
— I'm not mocking you.
I'm honoring you in my own way.
I am a clown… but also a King.
I impose my vision through entertainment.
Isaac suddenly burst out laughing.
— Fascinating…
If we are all Kings here, we are meant to embody a certain stature.
But you… King of Entertainment… you are a subject of study.
He tilted his head slightly.
— How did someone so young become a King?
Vorso stared into the distance.
For a brief moment, his smile faded.
Then it returned… even wider.
— That's none of your business.
The puppet he held slowly turned its head toward Isaac.
Its gaze was…
Terrifying.
The Twins interrupted the exchange.
— Enough! Eden shouted.
Show at least a minimal amount of respect!
— We are wasting our time, added Ayden.
Let us question the Emperors directly.
— Tsk… what a nuisance, muttered Noic.
Let's get this over with. I have matters to attend to.
At last, the Emperors spoke.
— A terrible war once scarred this world.
Your quarrels remind us of that past.
We accept your differences…
But no conflict will be tolerated.
Not of race.
Not of interest.
Not of heritage.
And certainly not out of boredom.
— We have not forgotten either, replied the Goat.
— What memories… Isaac whispered.
Noic crossed his arms.
— The tensions are real.
Why are we forbidden from entering the Lawless Zones?
Rasfi stepped forward.
— Our kingdom is tiny!
Since the incident with the bomb — still unexplained — our King Karaminra has disappeared!
Our people are vulnerable!
We lack land, resources… and lives!
— The Lawless Zones are forbidden, an Emperor replied.
You are too weak to survive there.
— Then why forbid migration between kingdoms?! Rasfi replied.
We cannot survive like this!
The kingdoms cannot coexist.
Only high dignitaries are allowed to travel.
— We will not justify ourselves further.
Vorso let out a nervous laugh.
— Charming…
So we are left to fend for ourselves.
Augustus leaned closer to Isaac and whispered:
— Rasfi's clone is playing his role well.
Remote manipulation.
Subtle. Efficient.
Eden observed Rasfi carefully.
— Have you noticed his gestures?
He moves like… a puppet.
— I know, Ayden replied.
Something is wrong.
— Be careful, false King, the Goat warned.
Defying the Emperors will condemn your world.
— I have the right to speak, don't I? Rasfi shot back.
What are you afraid of?
— Enough! Eden shouted.
I propose a truce.
I will help you… and you will owe me a debt.
— It's a trap, Rasfi refused.
— Then sacrifice your people!
You are not worthy of Karaminra!
The Goat growled.
— Swallow your pride and accept.
Isaac understood.
His plan had failed.
But it didn't matter.
No one knew he controlled two kingdoms.
Nor that Rasfi was nothing more than a pawn.
Noic suddenly smiled.
— Isaac…
You take us for fools?
— Hahaha! Excellent joke! Vorso added.
You've been awfully quiet since Rasfi spoke, Noic continued.
World newspapers are talking about your scientists sent to Eruasert.
Were you trying to play the savior?
Isaac stood up slowly, adjusting his glasses.
— Noic…
But would you like me to reveal your secret?
— What?! Noic shouted.
— No… Augustus whispered.
Isaac paled.
Cornered.
The truth had nowhere left to hide.
He took a deep breath.
— Eden, the noble knight, got there before me.
He is the savior.
As for me… I only thought of my own kingdom.
I apologize.
The Emperors finally intervened.
— Enough.
Proceed to your requests.
We will decide which ones deserve to be granted.