Orion sat on his throne in the vast Meeting Hall where the soft light of the great golden lamps reflected off the marble walls creating a warm welcoming glow.
He wore a modern suit made of lustrous black fabric with subtle royal blue accents on the lapels an innovative design that would undoubtedly become a trend across the empire from that day forward.
His flame-red hair fell disheveled over his shoulders like an untamed blaze. Though it seemed carelessly styled each strand appeared strategically placed to enhance his power and charisma.
Orion's face was a masterpiece carved by divine perfection and his eyes two spheres of deep ice-blue radiated calm and authority piercing the souls of those who dared look directly at him.
The Elders present representing the Imperial Council and the Council of Dwellers—created to bring the people's demands to the emperor—were arranged in a semicircle around the throne.
Discussions centered on economic policies and defense strategies but however serious the topics the attendees' gazes frequently strayed toward the Emperor's figure.
Orion's aura his ethereal presence and beauty made it difficult to maintain focus even for the most seasoned among them.
"Majesty we must reinforce our northern defenses" said the security advisor His voice typically firm wavered slightly at the end as if Orion's presence drained some of his confidence "Rumors suggest the wild territories are mobilizing for invasion"
Orion raised his hand gently and the room plunged into reverent silence.
"The rumors are true" said Orion his voice low but firm echoing like soft thunder through the hall "Yet they hesitate They fear our strength for they do not yet fully grasp the power within our empire"
His unwavering calm transformed the concern of invasion into an almost trivial matter.
All Elders fixed their eyes on him struck not only by his wisdom but by the magnetic aura surrounding him His presence more than any military might kept the empire united and strong.
The meeting continued though at a slower more respectful pace.
Economic matters and treaties with neighboring kingdoms were discussed but everyone's attention remained on Orion.
He observed each elder intently his penetrating eyes reading their intentions before they spoke He understood that as Emperor his presence and posture were his greatest weapons His charisma and power served both to inspire and to subjugate.
As the meeting ended Orion rose slowly adjusting his suit sleeves with the grace of one who masters time itself.
The Elders stood immediately bowing deeply as he passed his steps fluid as if gliding across the floor.
That day his attire would be the talk of every corner of the empire becoming the dominant fashion for weeks to come.
As night fell over the empire of Eryndor surrounding kingdoms watched its movements with extreme caution.
In distant icy Mharak the Empire of Eternal Snows Empress Elora seated on her crystalline ice throne pondered Orion's recent maneuvers Around her advisors whispered concerns about Eryndor's military reinforcements.
"Emperor Orion is consolidating his forces in the north" said the First Counselor his voice low and tense "It seems he is preparing for something greater"
Elora with skin pale as snow and eyes as cold as the ice covering her land nodded slowly "He is unpredictable I do not know if this movement is defensive or if he is already planning his expansion"
On the other side of the continent in the scorching Akhtar desert Sultan Amir al-Rashid contemplated the same issues Walking through his luxurious gardens he listened to his Master Spy report on Orion's latest council meeting.
"The Eryndor Empire grows stronger every day" said Azim cautiously "He may soon turn against us"
The Master Spy smiled faintly "Orion is more than a military leader He is an enigma a threat moving in the shadows We must be prepared"
In Helgaron a smaller commerce-driven kingdom King Ulrich and his guilds worried about Orion's economic influence.
"If he monopolizes the trade routes" said the guild leader "our economy will be devastated"
Ulrich slammed his fist on the table "We need strong alliances to resist the Eryndor Empire He grows too fast and we cannot be at the mercy of his whims"
Following the movements of great empires there was also a group of neutral nations whose interests were not directly aligned with any superpower These nations preferred to remain on the sidelines of major conflicts but watched Orion's maneuvers with equal intensity aware the balance of power could tip either way.
In the vast archipelago of Seleneia a nation formed by diverse islands connected by moonlit crystal bridges the Lunar Council gathered in their central temple The priestesses ruling Seleneia dressed in long silver robes sat silently listening to the High Priestess's report.
"Eryndor shows signs of expansion however discreet His movements are not aggressive but calculated He is strengthening his borders and establishing new trade routes We cannot ignore that despite his posture of quiet sovereignty Orion is a visionary leader whose intentions are hard to decipher" she explained calmly yet with deep wisdom.
The Grand Priestess an elderly woman nodded slowly "The Emperor of Eryndor is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with But our position is clear Seleneia thrives on neutrality and thus far our land has remained untouched by the ambitions of great empires We must keep our path under the Moon's blessing"
"Yes but for how long" asked one young priestess "The world changes rapidly Can we afford neutrality against a leader like Orion"
The High Priestess smiled softly "So long as he gives us no reason to engage we will take no side Seleneia's balance lies in our patience We shall not rush"
Meanwhile in the dense jungles of Theron the kingdom of magical creatures and druids the Council of Ancients gathered around a colossal millennia-old tree whose roots entwined the sacred ground Theron was a nation of deep mysticism where ancient forest beings held political voice and harmony with nature was its core principle.
The Root Guardian an elf with green skin and golden eyes spoke first "Eryndor is like an approaching storm He moves the world with his presence yet he hasn't reached our groves The question is should we prepare for this storm or will it pass harmlessly over us"
The Ancient Ent a talking tree whose branches bloomed with flowers answered in a deep resonant voice "The Eryndor Emperor has shown respect for nature thus far His expansions are calculated and so far do not encroach upon our territories Yet I sense unrest in the wind He may eventually turn to our borders seeking something we do not yet comprehend"
The druids present dressed in animal pelts and leaf ornaments pondered silently.
Theron had always chosen neutrality staying clear of human kingdoms' conflicts Yet with Orion's advance they knew they must soon decide.
"We shall remain in harmony with nature and prepare our defensive rituals" concluded the Root Guardian "If the storm turns toward us we will be ready"
In the distant Submerged Kingdom of Aqualon where underwater cities shone like pearls in the ocean depths King Poseidon III named after the god Poseidon watched the surface empires' movements through magical water orbs capturing images from the terrestrial world.
"Emperor Orion is a fascinating leader" murmured the king stroking his blue beard "He shows no aggression yet rules with a silent strength other kingdoms fear His influence already touches the waters though he hasn't yet stepped into them"
The Advisor a mermaid with sea-green hair approached "Your Majesty Eryndor is no threat to Aqualon The sea people retain independence and our neutrality has let us prosper Yet if Orion continues his expansion he may one day turn his eyes to sunken resources"
Poseidon sighed "Should that day come we shall see how powerful his ambitions are For now there is no cause for concern But we will watch closely"
Finally in the floating mountains of Zaroth where celestial monks meditated on clouds and mastered arcane arts the Grand Master led a meeting with his closest disciples.
"Orion differs from other emperors" said Yun Feng his golden robe fluttering as he walked the hanging gardens "He rules with wisdom uncommon for his age There is something in him that transcends mere thirst for power His rise was no accident"
"Should we be concerned about him Master" asked a young monk.
Yun Feng smiled faintly "Concern is not the monks' path We shall observe and learn If Orion comes to us we will be ready But for now he walks a path that doesn't disrupt our balance What troubles us is not what he does but what he might do"
The neutral nations continued watching Orion's movements with caution.
Each understood the world's power balance was shifting and the Emperor of Eryndor was its epicenter Even in neutrality they knew they would eventually have to choose a side or redefine strategies to counter Orion's growing influence.
Eryndor was discussed in councils across the continent unaware that the Emperor of Eryndor himself had another plan in mind.
And he had already set it in motion for the coming month.
While the outside world was embroiled in politics and intrigue in the library's upper floors a young woman with long violet hair and eyes deep as the void sat in a chair carved from ancestral wood.
The room around her radiated power.
This was Empress Lyra a woman whose intellect and strength now stood at the multiverse's peak yet who was now completely absorbed in an ancient tome.
The book resting in her hands was unusual its black cover adorned with golden symbols and inscriptions that pulsed as if alive a rarity even among sacred texts.
Lyra knew no other like it existed anywhere in the multiverse Only here in the vast collection of ancestral knowledge in the library's upper floors could such profound wisdom be found hidden from all others.
The room's grandeur was nearly unimaginable Space itself seemed to bend reality's laws Even for the most powerful dimensional travelers the Imperial Library of Eryndor remained a mystery The Dao of Space magic shaped the floors into invisible layers each larger than entire continents.
Here Lyra could walk through distant eras and lands traversing whole universes in a single turned page Towering shelves rose in impossible directions beyond human sight guarding intellectual treasures few would dare imagine.
The silence here wasn't merely absence of sound it was the presence of absolute power.
"So that's how it is…" murmured Lyra as the soft rustle of turning pages filled the room.
The book she held revealed secrets of the multiverse's history Though Orion had told her part of the truth her curiosity led her to explore further and she found this rare tome in the library.
"The multiverse's power is divided into levels look here…"
Lyra read aloud intrigued.
"1. Primordial Chaos: The beginning of all
2. Primordials of the Dao: The first divine beings subordinate to Primordial Chaos who created the multiverse and maintain balance
3. Primordial Transcendents: Those who govern their own universes and serve the Primordials of the Dao For example 18-winged Archangels serve the Primordial of Spirituality; Chaos Dragons answer to the Primordials of Negativity and Positivity; Squirrels of Fate follow the Primordial of Destiny
4. Transcendents: The apex races can achieve through cultivation Those who reach this level transcend their universes and journey to the Primordial Universe"
She paused taking a deep breath before continuing.
"And then we have rulers of mortal immortal and divine worlds Quasi-immortals in the mortal world those facing tribulations in the immortal world and Primordial Gods in the divine world all under the World Dao's watch In the Void World exist those under the vigilant gaze of Primordial Transcendents…"
Lyra studied the text absorbing the words carefully.
"During early cultivation mortals train to adapt to their chosen Dao Upon becoming immortals and ascending to the immortal world they control 40% to 59% of their Dao in their journey Upon reaching demigod level they master between 60% and upon achieving Primordial God level they can control up to 80% After many levels in the Void World upon reaching Half-Transcendent they attain 99% Only upon becoming Transcendents do they control 100% of the Dao"
A mischievous smile spread across Lyra's face
"Wow… I skipped all that and became a Primordial of the Void Dao directly Hahaha"
Her eyes shone with a mix of joy and pride as she grasped the magnitude of her ascension.tiverse shuddered.