[b][i]Renovation[/i][/b]

The party were brought, either by the Corridor of Darkness or various Gummi Ships, to a brightly lit place of marvels.

The [url=http://www.byzantium1200.com/blachernae.html]Palace of the Blachrenae[/url] was the main residence of the Emperors of the Byzantine Empire since the days of the Kommenoi/Commenus dynasty, and, in this alternate history, continued in its former glory. With exquisite gardens, fountains, and tilework, as well as red roofs that evoked the Byzantines' Greco - Roman roots, it was a building that evoked the best of Medieval Architecture, but, at the same time, was filled with modern amneties such as electricity and air conditioners, all fitted subtly into the existing structure. Inside, where the guards would usher them in, were tapestries, paintings, carpets and vases, all of great value. However, all these were not signs of weakness, as the aforementioned guards were heavily armed in 'modern gear', and security cameras can be seen all around.

"You must all be mystified," said the boy who had brought Rei in, and who was now acting as their guide in this strange place. "It's an understandable reaction."

"Anyway, we are in the Blachrenae Palace, in the city of Constantinople, in the world of Renovation. The current ruler is Michael XIII Sideros, the [i]Basileus ton Basileon[/i] (Emperor of Emperors) of the [I]Basilea ton Rhomanion[/i] (Byzantine Empire, although the literal translation is 'Roman Empire'), Viceregent of God on Earth, Lord of Space and Time - that part isn't literal, not even with Gummi Ships and Magic - and a host of other titles that I can't be bothered to give."

"Oh," the boy continued in an afterthought, "and my name is [i]Tocsax[/i], by the way. Let's just say...I'm a special agent and friend of the Emperor. Anyway, throne room coming!" And with that, Tocsax led them to a great chamber furnished with silken tapestries, floors of exquisitely tiled marble, with persian carpets, fluted columns, and strewn with flowers. 

However, lest all this be taken as a sign of opulence, the room was also filled with ferocious-looking soldiers in black special forces armor with helmets that made them almost look like Heartless, who carried a bewildering array of guns. But at the far end of the room was a golden throne, and upon that throne sat a person wearing a diadem, clad in [url=http://www.hellenicarmors.gr/media/photos/22/hellenic_armors_01.jpg]more anachronistic armor[/url].

This person, evidently the [i]Basileus[/i], was also a 14-year old boy who was flanked by two other teenagers, the first one another 14-year old wearing bright silk robes and carrying a Wizard's staff, and the second one a 16-year old clad in special forces armor, but carried no guns, or any weapon at all, preferring to carry only a round shield emblazoned with the Double-Headed Eagle.

"Damianos Sardis and Girogios Kyros," said Tocsax, "the Emperor's best friends, and mine too." Going to the very foot of the throne, and gesturing to the party to follow him, the Nobody announced:

"My [i]Basileus[/i], I have brought you the people you asked for." He would have bowed, before the other boy's eyes shot up, and he said, frantically:

"No need to do that, Tocsax! No need! This isn't a ceremony, this is a war council." He then got up, allowing the others a closer look at his face; he had brown hair and blue eyes, with a sun-tanned complexion. Despite the richness of his surroundings, he had an air of authority that showed that his strength was not sapped by luxury and wealth. Gazing at them, Emperor Michael continued:

"Heroes and Heroines of the worlds, thank you for answering my summons and enduring the...atmosphere of this place. As Tocsax may already have told you, I am [I]Basileus[/i] Michael XIII Sideros, and I am a Keyblader, like most of you." His voice then turned grave.

"I assume by now that you all know of the Heartless, how they are getting more numerous and more organized, and how, as I said in my letters, this is not a coincidence, but something deliberate. Well, I am here to confirm that; there is an intelligence behind those Heartless attacks, and that intelligence can prove the doom of this Multiverse."

"You see, the Heartless are led by an organization called the 'Thirteen Seekers of Darkness', led by Leo the Second Mathemathician, a traitor to my kingdom and one of the Old Keyblade Masters; you can ask me more about them later. These 'Seekers' are looking for seven women called the 'Princesses of Heart', who not only have Hearts of pure light, but are also the components to a Superweapon that can destroy, then remake, all worlds."

Michael then gazed at them and waited for their reactions.