Chapter one.

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~~~Azrael Jaesyrian, Fifth Moon, 280 AC~~~

~~~Xandar, Ischyros~~~

I walked closely beside my wife while Gallio walked to my left, holding reports of the Empire and the world. 

Though it was only seven in the morning, already all of Ischyros was in motion, with servants walking to and fro minding their own business, immaculate guards posted at every corner watching over order and calm, along with members of the court gossiping about new happenings in the city. 

Another typical day was when I again had to wake up early. "Your Majesty, the census reports have finally been completed after three long years of starting it. At the same time, General Micaela has returned from her journey from the shores of Skagos Island and the Eternal Winter. She managed to hit wild settlements and capture mammoths and Westerosi giants. I understand they are shorter than the Jhogwins, but they are equally fierce." 

I smiled at what Gallio said. Every time I heard about the greatness of Xandar and how it was growing more and more, it filled me with pride since that meant that Xandar was becoming something that would last for millennia. 

"And is it necessary to have those giants?" Isabella asked in confusion. As empress of Xandar, she was well versed in all matters of the empire and so far did not enjoy my love for having more and more creatures to fill my zoo. By now, I had even two specimens of every creature in the known world and several more to go, as new species were being discovered daily in the jungles of Sothoryos and far away Ulthos. 

"Your Highness, While it will not be necessary to train them for war since the Jhogwins are better than the giants of Westeros in this case, His Majesty likes them, and he knows that when that happens, there is no turning back," Gallio replied, with a smirk on his face, causing Isabella to turn to me with a raised eyebrow. "What?" I said, noticing her look, which was the look she gave when she wasn't happy about something, "I've always been fascinated by the giants and mammoths of Westeros. There's nothing more to say." 

Isabella sighed, resigning herself to the idea of making me change my mind about my fetish for collecting strange creatures. 

"This is the recorded census, and according to the numbers recorded, the future of Xandar looks good," Gallio said suddenly, saving me from continuing to meet Isabella's gaze as he passed me a small book of only three pages. 

"Xandar has a population of eighteen million four hundred thousand people, four million six hundred thousand ascendant Jhogos Nhai, seven million forty thousand ascendants from the yellow cities and former slaves of Essos, three million ninety thousand with Dothraki ancestry, six hundred thousand ancient Unsullied, seventy-eight Jhogwins, thirty-two thousand witches, fifteen thousand evocators along with three million civilians," when I finished reading the first six paragraphs, Isabella was surprised, and at the same time excited. 

"That's amazing. The population has multiplied by huge levels," she said, taking the book from my hands and reading. This is mine," I stressed to her, returning the book and returning to where I stood. But yes, it is very pressing news. These years of peace since the Bone Mountains war have paid off, especially with the Westerosi man acting as a mediator for fertility." 

Said man was a new addition to Xandar. He was perhaps one of the most protected since, thanks to him, the witches had managed to get pregnant. The man was a direct descendant of Garth the Gardener, a supposed god of the legends of Westeros. He was found when he tried to escape the power of the Tyrell family, who kept him imprisoned to help in the harvests of the Reach. 

Whether his kinship with said god was true did not make the man important to Xandar. He had allowed fertility to soar and crops to grow faster and stronger without the need for bone dust, so he enjoyed good status in the empire thanks to his contributions. 

"Let's just hope that the peace and tranquility that has pervaded Xandar continues to prosper," Gallio commented, then opening his eyes and exclaiming, "Your Majesty! I forgot we have monthly reconnaissance and compilation meetings with the High Council." 

"Oh, good grief, but it's not even eight o'clock in the morning," I complained, unable to understand how they could schedule meetings so early. Many members of the High Council start their day very early, Your Majesty. Many of us have many duties to attend to." Gallio said quietly, causing me to look at him hesitantly. What do you want to tell me, Gallio?" I asked if I would wager, and he said lazily. 

"It's nothing, Your Majesty; it's gibberish of a man," Gallio evaded my question as I watched Isabella laugh to my right. What, I can't laugh?" The very treacherous one deigned to wash her hands. 

Our conversation continued for a few more moments until we reached the High Council room, where my Blood Riders were waiting for me. " You're late," Qrano said to me, taking as proof the time indicated by the watch attached to a pocket of his armor. " Won't you greet me?" I stressed, receiving a snort from him. I would if you hadn't made us wait ten minutes here." 

"Well, not all..." Whatever I was about to say was put on hold as the castle floor began to shake. The high, vaulted ceiling began to drop sandstone from the concrete it was made of, and the previously clear, cloudy sky darkened to an almost black shade of gray. 

The event lasted about six to seven seconds, moments that seemed almost an eternity. When the sky returned to normal, and the castle stopped shaking, that's when I felt the energy. 

After years of growing in power with the help of enchantment books, I had been well versed in getting to feel the magic given off by certain people or creatures, both the breath given off by Endoxes, the Enderman's aura of death, and the strange particles floating around witches. 

But now, a level of energy never felt before spread throughout the castle, filling every corner and entering in small amounts into almost every castle member, and I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. 

As a suitable catalyst for strange things, trouble always came when something new and unfamiliar happened, so I quickly entered the High Council room. This place was shrouded in murmurs, arguments, and pleadings. 

[Lykemagon! (Silence!)] I shouted the moment I entered the room. I knew that what had just happened was an unknown event and represented some danger, but it was not the time to lose control, and much less if it was the members of the High Council since they were the ones who kept Xandar afloat. 

The moment I shouted, and the Ministers and members of each syndicate saw me enter, they immediately fell silent. Although they were still standing and with stressed faces, they knew that now that I was present, they would be given indications on how to proceed. 

Once I reached the podium, I sat down and rang a small bell, signaling the start of the session. 

"We now call to order the fifty-seventh monthly recognition and compilation session of the High Council," Gallio, seated in the second row of chairs below where I was, addressed everyone. 

"Thank you, Prime Minister," I began to speak, noticing how many were still upset by what happened earlier. "As you noticed, a strange and large tremor and total darkness covered much of the city and possibly all of Xandar. We do not know the event's origin nor what caused it, but for now, it is imperative to be prepared for all possible events. That is why I am lifting martial law as of today, the fourth day of the fifth moon." 

As if a light bulb had been turned on, all the members of the High Council remained static and, one by one, began to put on a severe and cold countenance, knowing that an out-of-hand event was unfolding right now since such a law had never been used since the creation of Xandar, not even when the Winged Men tried to attack Xandar. 

"Minister Lucios put out a call to Vaes Dothrak, tell the Ko of the Imperishable Horde to be on a war footing, and notify the Nhai Jhogos outposts of Tharlan, Prozyn, and Karamirk to prepare for a quick response should they be needed." 

Lucius had sent one of his cabinet members to send the order. I returned to tell him about other measures: "Mobilize Golem forces to all borders of the Empire, have them serve as intercoms and the first line of response in the event of a possible attack or invasion, plus have the navy ready on both coasts and have military posts throughout the Empire on high alert." 

"Minister Valentina," I addressed the Minister of Civil Affairs. I want you to mobilize trained members to the city and throughout the Empire to document any changes or disasters caused by the tremor and respond to the people's concerns." 

Thus, I continued issuing orders to each guild to act quickly and concisely to any problems that might arise until a man violently entered the room, drawing everyone's attention and angry countenances. 

"What is the meaning of this?" I shouted angrily. I had enough trying to react to the situation without tolerating the man's inappropriate behavior. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but it is urgent," the man said with panic and trembling in his voice, sensing my anger and the displeasure of the Ministers due to the interruption.

"And what are you waiting for? Speak now," I said, showing no consideration. Essos... The continent is no more." He replied, handing some documents to an aide from the governmental affairs syndicate and then handing them over. The borders we shared with the rest of Essos are gone. There is only one sea, both east and west. We are currently awaiting reports from the city of Elya and Silver Port." 

'Ay hell,' I thought apparently, the day was getting worse and worse.