Dawn had surfaced when I left the mine. Lighting a match, I threw on a trail of oil I had left. Flames spawned from the oil, diving deeper into the mine. The cave collapsed in on itself as the dynamite was ignited and exploded. It would be the tomb of Elrith. I left Bear on the horse Elrith and I had used, leaving the caravan though as it was no longer necessary. My destination now was Imperium; the imperial capital of Gaia. I had a reunion I was not looking forward to having. I traveled deeper and deeper into the body of the empire, alone only accompanied by my thoughts and my stead.

I thought back to the letter I had found on Elrith’s corpse. It was haunting me. I was no stranger to being targeted by assassins, but I’ve never seen someone who wanted me dead, to take so much time. The letter mentioned Elrith as a “sister” but I doubt it was meant as in an actual sister. My guess was that’s what Elrith’s group called each other. This mysterious D person was troubling. If an organization had people as passionate as Elrith about killing me or killing people in general amongst their ranks, this would prove problematic. I pushed the thought back, this was an issue I wouldn’t be able to face alone, and I’d talk about it with Valentia when I reached the capital, as much as I despised the idea.

I continued down the path for what seemed like hours until I could finally see the gleaming towers of Imperium in the distance. There it was; Imperium, the capital of the Gaian Empire. The city itself was magnificent. I’ve visited the city a couple of times when I was younger with my family, but I disliked the city. It felt fake, synthetic. Down the road were a group of guards mounted on horses. I noticed they were wearing purple; the signature color of the Crimvern family.

“The bodyguards of Valentia Crimvern I presume?” I asked.

They grunted in acknowledgment.

“We are. We’ve been ordered to bring you to Miss. Crimvern immediately. Come with us.” One explained.

A few minutes later we entered the city of Imperium, the crown, and jewel of the mighty empire. Huge walls and battlements surrounded the city. There were always guards on lookout. However, the city was one of the least populated in Gaia. Nobles, aristocrats, politicians, the wealthy and royalty lived in Imperium. The guards mostly ended up protecting gardens then people. As we made our way up to the royal palace, civilians looked at me with fear; husbands protecting their wives, mothers hiding their children or even walking away, but most looked at me like I was a commoner, a spec on the earth.

“What is he even doing here?” I heard someone say.

“I cannot believe they’d let a filthy criminal like him in the royal palace?”

I ignored them as I continued my way to the castle. When we finally made it to the castle, I stared at it. The castle was a magnificent thing. It was giant. No, giant didn’t give the castle justice; no word that existed seemed to give the Royal Castle the justice. It was constructed out of white marble, white wood, and white steel, effectively giving it the very uncreative nickname: The White Palace. The palace had huge walls and battlements surrounding the palace, with knights from the royal army patrolling the ramparts. The palace itself was surrounded by gardens, giving the palace color and life.

We demounted our horses and made our way inside. I had my breath taken away from me. Inside the palace, it felt like you were in heaven.

“Holy shit.” I gasped.

Red, Valkyrian carpets were everywhere on the floor. On the ceiling hung thousands and thousands of crystal chandeliers. Huge windows made way for the sun’s rays to hit the chandeliers, so rainbows filled the palace. Vases with exotic plants lined the halls, maids, and butlers around every corner. I looked at portraits of the previous kings that rule Gaia that were on the walls. The palace and its royal inhabitants sure had expensive tastes. Valentia’s guards lead me to her office.

“Wait in here please.” The guard told me as he ushered me into the room, closing the door behind me.

I paced around her office, waiting for Valentia to arrive. The office was bare, which was surprising. Then again, Valentia was never someone who liked the expensive stuff. Her desk was made out of simple birch wood. Official documents littered the desk. The only three chairs in the office were also made of wood, but they had black cushions on them. Behind her desk was a simple window, with blue drapes. A portrait of her as a child hung on the wall, with vases of more flowers beside it. I stepped forward to look at the papers.

“I wouldn’t touch my desk if I was you.” A voice called out.

I clenched my fists recognizing that voice all too well. I turned around to see Valentia Crimvern leaning against the door.

She had changed from the last time we met. She was taller, sturdier; clearly, she has been working her body. Her hair, chestnut in color, was cut short, to her chin. Her indigo eyes were filled with authority and mal-intent.

“Valentia.”

She walked up to me and embraced me in a hug. Something I was uncomfortable with.

“I missed you, Seth, it has been too long.”

“I can’t say that I can return the sentiment, Valentia. Your letter, it said you wanted me, now I’m here, what is it that you want?”

“You’re no fun Seth, always work and no enjoyment. I cannot believe this is how you treat a childhood friend.” She said as she made her way to her desk.

“I am only here because you requested me, if not for that I would not be here,” I replied.

She sighed. “You’re so boring at times, but very well. With direct orders from her royal majesty Luna Gaia, I Valentia Crimvern, order you to partake in the Gaian Senate.”

Valentia sentenced me to hell. Being called into the Gaian senate was a fate worse than death. I did not want to tangle my life with useless politics, especially politics that include the entire continent. The Gaian senate was held every year by the three leaders of the three factions on the continent. The discussions usually involved talks about improving peace, internal conflicts, trade agreements, and the other continent on the planet: Zeal.

The Senate building was built with a similar feel to a courtroom. The rows of seats are for the numerous senators and citizens, with high ranking officials being seated where the jury normally would. The most noticeable difference, however, was the three thrones that replaced the judge’s seat. The throne on the left was carved out of stone, with runes embedded in it. On the complete right, the throne was made out of obsidian, with decorative engravings. The seat of power in the middle was made of pure gold, with red leather covering it. I stood in front of the thrones.

“Break a leg.” Valentia had told me before she left me here to suffer.

Yeah, break a leg. Next time she does this to me, I’ll break her legs.

“All kneel for the most holies!”

As one, everyone stood and knelt as the three leaders entered and took their respective seats. I did not kneel.

On the left sat the Valk of the Valkyrian State; Blake May. She was a fierce woman in her early thirties, who reunified her country, what used to be called Valkyria when it fell into a civil war five years ago. The then current ruling government wanted to invade the Empire. The citizens, however, didn’t want a war so they rebelled against their government. Ultimately the population won, and seeing how Blake May, was a well-respected figure, she was elected to rule the country that is now known as the Valkyrian State. She was a confident, morally driven woman. Her black hair was tied in a braid that went down the length of her shoulders. Her blunt green eyes demonstrated to all her authority and power. She stared at me with great disapproval.

“Seth Nox… how amusing,” she purred.

Drath Nav, the emperor of Sixth Sanctum, sat on the right throne. He was an old man, late in his seventies, holding the title of emperor since the age of twenty-five. He didn’t get interested much in anything, but he was a cunning man. He’d pull strings from behind curtains, corrupt politicians; assassinate political rivals etc. He was a man of deception and a known backstabber. It has been rumored that he deliberately planned the death of his older brother, 20 years ago, so he could rule. He was a power hungry human being.

“The Assassin! This is quite surprising, how wonderful.” He said in-joke mockery upon seeing me.

I simply stared up at him in silence. He better hope that nobody asked me to assassinate him. I would happily oblige. The Nox clan of assassins has a rather bumpy relationship with Nav. A few years ago he tried to annex the land of the Nox clan, so he could have them as his personal assassins. It made sense, seeing as the Nox are considered the best assassins on the continent. But the clan didn’t want too. A small guerrilla war broke out between Nav and the clan. The emperor only pulled out when the Empire and Valkyrian State threatened to declare war on the Sixth Sanctum.

Finally, the queen of Gaia; Luna Gaia, took her throne. I was taken back by surprise. She seemed quite young for someone to be in power, my guess was close to my age: eighteen. She was a carbon copy of her mother; Vanessa Moon, shiny silver eyes and moon white hair that flowed behind her shoulders. Originally, after the death of her father, her uncle was supposed to take rule, until she came of age, yet the brother refused, so Luna was crowned as the first Gaian queen to rule the nation.

“SETH NOX!” Blake exploded. “You have not knelt! Have you no pride!?”

Here we go, I thought. I waited till everybody was seated once again before speaking. “My pride need not worry. I was born in the Northern Regions, where no nation has authority. Therefore I have no alliance to any of the three nations.”

Blake’s face twisted into one of pure rage. “You ignorant piece of-”

“The boy speaks the truth, Blake. Stop acting on traditions for once and maybe you’d be a more enjoyable person.” Drath Nav said, cutting her off.

“You dare pick his side, Drath? A murderer over a leader? Don’t tell me you’ve also forgotten the time you tried to conquer the Northern Regions?” she questioned.

“Well, at least he and I have something in common.” He said, ignoring Blake May’s last remark.

Blake fell quiet, so did the Senate. Luna still hasn’t spoken and decided to remain quiet.

Blake remained speechless and quickly recomposed herself. She coughed.

“Very well,” she replied in disgust. “Seth Nox, heir to the Nox cl-”

“I am no longer the heir to the clan; exile has stripped me of all titles of heritage I’m afraid.” I corrected.

Nav leaned forward. “Is that so?”

“Yes, it is true emperor. I was exiled for killing a family member.”

Blake coughed and continued. “As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, you have been called, called to help the three nations and Gaia. Heed our callings and aid your homeland.”

The Senate exploded in the outcry. The senators were shouting at the top of their lungs, demanding an explanation, justice, my execution. They were such children. Eventually, Blake raised her hand, and silence retook the Senate.

“Normally I would not seek the aid from murderers or men, but these are dire times, and desperate measures need to be called into action. Your Highness.” Blake beckoned to Luna.

Luna nodded. “Seth Nox, the reason we called you is for your insight, about some killers.”

I raised a brow. “Killers your highness? I’ve dealt with multiple killers, but I don’t see how this relates to me.”

“The killers are assassins.”

The word assassin rolled over the Senate. Alarm and distress broke out. Shouting at me being behind the murders, demands for my execution.

“SILENCE!” Drath bellowed. “Speak when spoken to you dogs. Your queen is speaking!”

The room instantly went quiet, as shock and surprise. This was something unheard of for the emperor to do. But it worked. Blake also looked surprised at Nav.

Blake took over for the queen. “What her Majesty was trying to say, is that the threat we face are assassins like Seth Nox. We were hoping that you could give us some insight on this.”

I shrugged. “I am not aware of any group of assassins being foes to Gaia, so please enlightened me.”

“I knew reaching out for the Blade was a waste of time,” Blake muttered.

“Even so, he still is our biggest asset in this situation. He shares a common thought process with those men,” Drath intervened.

“So you say, but he is still a danger to us as well. His kill count is high.”

Blake sighed and stood.

“This talk is wasting precious time. The Senate has much more important matters to discuss, assassin, we will talk later in private, leave us.”

I bowed in mockery, turned and left while being flanked by two guards. Good riddance.