Chapter 2: Ancestral Consultation

In the days following Prince Lucius's birth, Emperor Valerius Ashborne found himself grappling with the weight of responsibility that came with ruling the Titan Empire. The unprecedented events surrounding his son's arrival had sent ripples of uncertainty throughout the empire, and Valerius knew that every decision he made now would shape the future of not just his family, but the entire empire.

Seeking clarity and guidance, Valerius decided to consult the ancestrors of the Ashborne bloodline. Deep within the Celestial Citadel, far below the bustling corridors of power, lay a sacred chamber that held the relics and memories of their forefathers. It was a place of reverence, where the past and present converged, and the wisdom of ages could be accessed by those deemed worthy.

As Valerius descended the winding staircase, the air grew thick with the scent of ancient incense and the whispers of forgotten eras. The torches along the walls flickered, casting dancing shadows that seemed to move with a life of their own. At last, he reached the chamber, its circular walls adorned with the effigies of Ashborne rulers long past.

At the center stood an altar, crafted from a single piece of obsidian that gleamed with an otherworldly light. Valerius approached, his imposing 6'6" frame dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of history surrounding him. He knelt before the altar, his piercing blue eyes reflecting the ethereal glow as he spoke, his voice steady and resonant.

"Ancestors, I seek your wisdom. The birth of my son has brought both joy and uncertainty to our empire. Guide me in understanding the path for our family, and for the empire."

The chamber filled with a soft, ethereal light as the spirits of the ancestors materialized. Among them, the most prominent was the spirit of Aurelius Ashborne, the founder of their line and Valerius's great-great-grandfather. Aurelius stood tall, his noble bearing and commanding presence unchanged by the passage of centuries. His eyes, deep and wise, seemed to pierce through the veil of time itself.

"Valerius, my descendant," Aurelius spoke, his voice echoing with the weight of ages. "You have done well. The birth of your son under such heavenly signs is significant, not just for our empire, but for our bloodline as well."

Valerius raised his head, meeting the gaze of his ancestor. "Great-great-grandfather, the full meaning eludes me. What must we do to ensure the future of our empire in these treacherous waters of Astravia?"

Aurelius's form shimmered, and for a moment, the chamber seemed to expand, showing glimpses of Astravia's vast landscapes - from the towering Thunderpeak Mountains to the mystical valleys of the Eclipsed Moon Sect.

"Ah, ahaha..." Aurelius laughed. "You don't understand this, but you will in the future when he grows up. Your son, Valerius, carries within him a lineage that has not been seen for generations. In our history, there have been different lines, some more important than others. However, 3 are considered of the main line. We hail from one of them, unfortunately our branch has declined with time." His eyes lowered.

"However, ahaha... the heavens haven't forsaken our line. The child has potential that could bring about a golden age for our clan and the Titan Empire, but it also bears risks. We need to protect him and hide the information about what I told you. If information about this lineage is spoken of, then we risk annihilation by far stronger beings than this world."

"What must I do?" he asked as he felt a chill run down his spine.

"Strengthen your alliances," Aurelius advised, his voice taking on an urgent tone. "The other empires and sects will be watching closely. The Spiritual Flame Empire to the east, with their fiery culture, may see this as a threat to their power. The Blood Moon Empire to the west, with their air superiority, might seek to harm him to keep us in check. And never underestimate the cunning of the Jade Serpent Empire to the south."

Valerius absorbed this information, his mind already formulating strategies. "And what of the First-Rate Sects? The Golden Sword Sect, the Dragonfire Sect, and the Eclipsed Lunar Sect wield considerable influence."

"They are both potential allies and threats," Aurelius warned. "The Golden Sword Sect, The Dragonfire Sect, and the Eclipsed Moon Sect want to use this event as a reason to ally themselves together to try and profit from the conflicts that will arise between empires."

Aurelius's eyes softened, showing a glimmer of the mortal man he once was. "The child's path will influence the balance of power in the empire and beyond. Our clan's future ascendancy will depend on him. You must protect him, not just from external threats."

"Be vigilant against internal strife as well. There may be those within our own empire who would seek to use this incident for their own gain. You must create a circle of trust, use your advisors and protectors to flush out the spies and traitors, and focus on those who will put the clan and the empire's interests first," Aurelius continued.

"I understand," Valerius nodded solemnly.

The other ancestral spirits murmured in agreement, their collective wisdom filling the chamber with an almost palpable energy.

"Remember, Valerius, the power of the Titan lineage that courses through his veins is called the Primordial Titan Bloodline. Guide your son with the clan's methods and traditions, for his bloodline holds our ancestors' teachings and techniques. Therefore, as he will discover on his own when he awakens his bloodline, he will be tested in his will, Dao, and temperament. His choices will shape the fate of our clan for generations to come."

Valerius bowed his head in gratitude as the light began to fade. The wisdom of his ancestors had given him a clearer path, but the weight of responsibility felt heavier than ever. As the spirits dissipated, Aurelius's final words lingered in the air.

With the ancestral consultation concluded, Valerius made his way back to the upper levels of the Celestial Citadel. His mind raced with the implications of what he had learned and the monumental task that lay ahead. Returning to his private quarters, he found solace in his family's presence.

His wife, Empress Elera Ashborne, stood by the window, her emerald eyes gazing out over the sprawling city below. In her arms, she held their newborn son, Lucius.

"Did the ancestors provide the direction you sought?" she asked, her voice a blend of curiosity and concern. Elera turned, her intuition immediately sensing his thoughts.

Joining them, Valerius gently placed a hand on his son's head.

"Yes, they did. Our son has inherited one of the main bloodlines of our Titan race," he whispered, low and thoughtful.

Shock could be seen on Elera's face as she looked back at her sleeping child.

"His power is immense; we must be vigilant in these early years." Elera's grip on Lucius tightened ever so slightly, her maternal instincts flaring.

"We will raise him to be strong. Our son, a true heir to the Titan throne," she said with a smile of pride.

The young prince, Lucius Ashborne, was blissfully unaware of the weight of expectations resting upon his tiny shoulders. Yet, as the stars above continued their heavenly dance, the fate of the empire seemed inextricably linked to his future.

Knowing that time was of the essence, Valerius summoned his most trusted advisors once more. They gathered in his private study, a room lined with ancient tomes and maps of Astravia. As Valerius shared the guidance he had received from the ancestors, each advisor listened intently, their minds already formulating plans and strategies.

 "The Primordial Titan Bloodline... It is a lineage of incredible power, Your Majesty. We must ensure that Prince Lucius's abilities are nurtured, and his training controlled from an early age." Advisor Regulus Draven, his sharp features accentuated by the flickering candlelight, was the first to speak.

 "There are ancient texts that speak of training methods for those with such potent bloodlines. I will begin the search immediately." Advisor Selene Nightshade, her eyes gleaming with the prospect of arcane knowledge, nodded in agreement.

 "We must also be wary of those who would seek to harm or control him, both from within and without. Our enemies, especially the Jade Serpent Empire, will stop at nothing to stop such power from maturing. This information cannot leave this hall." Darius Greywind, the grizzled military advisor, leaned forward, his face a mask of concern.

 "I will work to secure the support of our allies. We cannot face the challenges ahead alone." Lyra Greywind, the diplomatic advisor, her voice soft but filled with determination, added,

"Diplomacy will indeed be crucial. We need to reassure our citizens and allies that we do not intend to upset the balance of power in Astravia." Cedric Blackwood, the elder statesman among the advisors, stroked his beard thoughtfully. 

 "Our military must be prepared for any threat, Your Majesty. I will personally oversee the training of a special unit guard dedicated to protecting the prince. They will be the finest warriors in all of Astravia, loyal only to the Ashborne line." Ingrid Stormrider, her warrior's physique taut with readiness, spoke last.

As his advisors spoke, Valerius felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but with the wisdom of the ancestors and the dedication of his trusted circle, he was confident they could navigate these turbulent times.

"Very well," Valerius said, his voice filled with resolve.

"We shall proceed with caution and purpose. Regulus, work with Selene to develop a comprehensive education and training plan while following our traditions for Lucius. Darius and Ingrid, I want our defenses fortified and our forces ready for any eventuality. Lyra and Cedric, begin reaching out to our allies, we must secure our position while appearing open to cooperation."

As the meeting concluded and the advisors filed out, each deeply aware of the monumental task ahead. The sun was setting over Astravia, painting the sky in hues of gold and purple as if acknowledging the momentous events unfolding below.

Turning to the window in the distance, he could see the silhouette of the Thunderpeak Mountains, their imposing presence a reminder of the ancient power that flowed through the veins of his son.

"May the wisdom of our ancestors guide us, for the future of Lucius, for the glory of the Ashborne line, and for the fate of all Astravia." Valerius murmured, his body resting on his chair.