It had only been a week since the fall of Westgate and yet, it only felt like yesterday that the great walls came crashing down. After a year of relentless siege, the enemy finally swarmed the walls in one fell swoop, killing without reason as they always did. There was no time for peace talks or delegations to meet with a representative, there was simply the Scorned. Like a massive green wave, they hit the walls over and over again withering it away until the inevitable finally happened. The Sol Protectorate had a fighting force well over one hundred thousand strong, now only around nine thousand remained. With the fall of Westgate and the Sol Protectorate in shambles, no more aid would go to the Viridi Protectorate or the Semper Fae. They were alone in a sea of sickly green. Not unless the Emperor's mission was successful, that was if the Scorn could even be killed by regular means. But then again, they wouldn't be using regular means, now would they? No, Emperor Janus was finally breaking out the big toys.

Elendi, standing erect on a balcony overlooked the capital city of Dramon. Millions lived here, with more flooding the streets every day. The Empire was at a breaking point, and the scales were not in their favor of survival. The Scorned were slowly making their way to the Heartland, and advanced scouts had already breached their borders. He pitied the Luna Protectorate, there was hardly anything they could do except slow the Scorned down and give time. Precious time that they didn't have. Rumors stated that even with the Luna's halting the Scorned, they would be here within the month. Already, the wealthy Nobles and Merchants were fleeing the city taking gambles on either Crepix or Cidanol as safe havens. If Dramon were to fall, then one of those cities and their lands would be next and it was only a matter of survival at this point. Already their were riots in the streets, and unrest throughout the city. The poor Alidia Guard, with their black armor and shiny swords were finally stretched thin for once. Elendi smirked at the thought, then turned away from the balcony and deeper into the palace. The meeting with the Emperor would be soon and he dare not be late.

The Templar arrived at the grand meeting chamber early, even the Emperor hadn't arrived yet. He looked about, seeing if any faces were familiar, but he spotted none. Only servants and maids were in the area, preparing the grand table for 'guests' but if only the people arriving had been guests. He strode in, helmet in hand and admired the chamber for its beauty with a twinkle in his hazel eyes. Ornate pillars lined the room, each one depicting some substantial event in the Empires history. There was one pillar that showed Emperor Valorum in all of his glory, and another that showed Prince Casdan and his victory over the Dramon Rebellions. The pillars themselves reached up and touched the ceiling and even more artwork. He turned his head back to look up, it was a very realistic mural of a battle scene. Dramoria stood in golden armor, surrounded by his faithful captains drenched in blood. They fought a horde of beast like Orcs, much different then the ones you could find today. He said a small prayer to Sol as he admired the great work of art before bringing his head back down. 

Elendi himself strolling over to one of the large windows cut in the stone. These windows overlooked the gardens. There was a dazzling array of color, Semper Fae were probably the gardeners. Only they could do such beautiful work. Trees that bore exotic fruit stood amidst fields of speckled flowers. There were green hedges in the shape of a variety of animals and in the far distance stood what he thought was a greenhouse. Elendi was about to turn his head away when he spotted a women, wearing a white gown step into a flowerbed of red. The contrast was stunning and she stood, letting him have a good look at her. She had raven black hair, pulled into some exotic hairstyle, probably the fashion of the noblewomen in Dramon. She bent down and picked up a flower, bringing it to her face to smell. She smiled, the flower must have smelled good. He admired her beauty, she was like a flower herself in a way, dainty and fragile but beautiful all the same. She looked up at him and smiled, giving a small wave. Elendi felt his cheeks flush-

"Ahh I see my daughter is in the roses again." Came a deep voice to his right. Elendi broken from his trance turned to see Emperor Janus standing behind him. Elendi immediately dropped to a knee and bowed in respect. 

"I apologize m'lord, I didn't hear you walk in."

"There is no need to apologize Templar Elendi. Now rise."

The man rose at the Emperor's request and stood at attention before him. Janus himself was a modest man, never really dressing in clothing that befitted an Emperor. Instead he swore a simple military clothing with a symbol of Luna upon his breast. His black hair was beginning to turn grey and his beard had already done so. His stormy grey eyes looked at him, as if in judgement. The man turned away from the window and began walking over to the table. Elendi followed.

"What do you think about the state of the world, Elendi?" Janus questioned.

"I... I believe that the state isn't good, my lord. Scorned are coming at us from the West and the city is quickly deteriorating into chaos and there's talk of open rebellion in Crepix. It's actually downright awful." Elendi said glumly.

Janus took a seat at the head of the table, one thing he admired about Janus is he didn't let others get the chair for him, he did many menial tasks himself. A true emperor of the people, and that was why they were quickly turning against him. 

"Take a seat Elendi. I fear you are right after all, I am the sixty-seventh Emperor of the Caldania line and most likely the last. My only heir is Ielenia. A strong, kind women but the world is a cruel place and I fear for her safety." he paused and caught Elendi's gaze, "If only things were different, then perhaps..."

A servant then burst through the main entrance and declared, "My emperor, your guests have arrived." before bowing deeply in respect. He held the position, waiting for his master's will.

Janus coughed slightly and looked at the servant, "Bring them in then." The servant nodded and turned away.

Janus looked back at Elendi with a soft smile, "Now the fun begins."