"What is the meaning of this?" Kain Xanders loudly shouted at the people in front of him. Gilian Xanders, his second son and the crown prince of the Xandria Empire stood next to him with anger in his eyes.
They were currently in the Palace Hall and the group of people in front of them had barged in without announcement as if they owned the place.
The one leading this group was Merilyn Champers, the president of the main tower of Xandria. Along with her were the vice president and a few other high ranking members of the tower of the capital.
"I'm sorry for coming here this late in the night, your majesty. I hope you understand that this was not my choice. It was simply an order that I am following," she said.
"What order?" Kain asked angrily. He had already heard reports from all over the capital and knew what was going on, but he still wanted to hear it all from the members of the tower themselves.
"We are ordered to take over the empire, your majesty. From now on, the empire of Xandria belongs to the tower," Merilyn said with no emotion in her eyes.
"Bullshit! You think you can take our empire just because you want to?" Gilian strode forward before his father could speak.
"Prince Gilian, please beware of who you are speaking to. As of now, the entire empire is under me. My men have already taken over the streets and the marshal law is under effect."
"Once the sun rises, we will let them know that the tower has taken over the empire," Merilyn said.
"You!" the Emperor got angry. His guards were in the position to attack, but the opponent had more talented people on their side. He wasn't sure if they could beat them in an attack.
"Why are you doing this? Have our empire not treated you well?" the Emperor asked. "Was it because we housed the person you call the Apostle of Alexis?"
Merilyn's eyes finally showed a little emotion. "I… am not petty enough to attack an emperor over such a tiny little detail," she said.
"Goddammit! Then why?" Kain slammed his throne as he asked. "Why my empire?"
Merilyn's gaze narrowed. "Oh, don't be mistaken, your highness. It's not just your empire. The tower is currently en route to taking over the whole world. Others, just like me, are likely talking with the monarchs and governments of the different countries."
"What? The entire world?" Kain was surprised. "Why would you do that?"
Merilyn finally showed a smile from the moment she entered the palace. "For Peace, your highness."
Similar events were taking place all over the world. The Emperor of the Odrain empire, the King of Shalor kingdom, the High-Prince of Losmana, the government of Ergor, the newly formed government of Embers, and even the city lords of the Freelands were getting an unnoticed visit by the Tower heads of their local towers.
Some of the tower heads were reluctant to do this, but the others who had lost a sense of power after the absorption techniques were released had started to enjoy being in power once more.
To the North of Damir city, just outside of it lay a magnificent palace with deep green grass and a deep blue water fountain.
The palace itself was made of stark white limestone and with all of the four primary colors accented throughout the palace to show its origin.
There were servants in the palace, but everyone stood to the side as they watched two people walk through the hallway of the palace as if they owned the place.
"Are you sure it's him?" the old man with white hair and beard asked.
"Yes, we confirmed it. It's him for sure," the younger, but still old fellow next to him with black hair, and a white-streaked beard said.
"I see," the old man said with a saddened expression on his face. "Without him, I'm not sure how we could possibly gain any more aether."
The other man remained quiet as they walked through the hallway.
"Any idea who did it?" the old man asked after a while.
"The report says… a beautiful woman. Could it be that person you called… um," the man didn't speak any further.
The old fan's face twisted. "What? It says she killed him?" he asked with a surprise.
"Yes, the report matches her completely," the man said.
"No, she can't kill people. If she could, I would doubt I would be alive all these long time," he said. "Also, she wouldn't have needed me if she could do it all by herself."
"She couldn't hold a knife herself, so she taught me to become strong enough to hold a knife in her stead," the old man said.
"Then… he died just like that?" the man asked.
"We'll talk about this later," the old man said and with a simple gesture opened the door in front of him.
A relatively young man that seemed to be in his 20s sat on the throne inside the room as the two of them entered.
"Senior Perry? What are you doing here?" the young man asked. The young man had blue eyes, and black hair and wore a crown on his head.
"Oh, I'm sure you know what we are here for, your highness," Perry said with a smile on his face.
"These reports I'm hearing… are those correct?" the young man asked.
"If you are hearing about the tower taking over the world then yes," Perry said.
"So… have you come here to kill me, just like you helped my father kill his grandfather?" the young man asked.
"Oh no, I'm not here to kil— wait, his?" Perry's eyes narrowed as he looked at the emperor in front of him.
Somehow, when he said 'his', it didn't sound like he was referring to someone who he didn't want to name.
But rather, to someone that was in this very room.
Perry immediately spun around and saw an old man stand behind the door he had just walked through.
"I have waited many years for this day," Darian said as he slowly strolled forward towards the light.
"I hope you are prepared to die today, you bastard."
