In an age long past, hearing one's footsteps echo through these grand halls was the furthest from daunting. Passing each corridor within this maze, the visitor remembered the vivid chatters and glimmering tiles that once were- Filled with an array of colours and elements, the atmosphere welcoming to anyone curious- Spilled drinks and loud laughter, a gathering within this keep proved all the more how close-knit the royals were with their citizens. A time in which each elemental easily glowed with pride, for their empire was their home, too.

Now instead, quiet apologies muttered at several instances, after a cough or two. A short response retorted by the guard guiding the visitor, explaining not many wandered these halls lately- Which the visitor had figured already, judging by the layers of dust piling up on each surface and in each corner visible. Shame, he figured, for this keep once held so much glory- Though like many others, he understood the neglected state all too well- Even if it seemed some had forgotten, or simply moved on from the unsalvageable matter. An empire once so beloved, running emptier and emptier as more and more elementals moved away from a home lost. Patience was one of the last qualities expected nowadays- It had been a decade since the royal incident, after all.

Before he realised, the guard had brought him to the entry of the throne hall- Once as open and inviting as the rest of the keep, where one could find the elemental emperor himself and his family- Engaging in chatter and festivities regardless of status- It was thanks to them that the elementals were proud to call the region theirs. The visitor waited patiently as a few royal guards gathered, on standby and to open the gates. With a loud groan the barrier lifted, the authority within revealing itself. His glow once said to be akin to a thousand suns, Emperor Vakaros was now closer to a red dwarf- Yet the visitor remained speechless at the sight. Sitting menacingly in the sole seat left within the spacious chamber, the visitor was permitted to grant his audience.

Slowly he walked through the gates, oddly feeling as small and insignifant as an ember, bowing deeply to thank Emperor Vakaros for his time. When the visitor raised his posture and looked up for approval to speak, there was none- Instead the emperor's eyes bore straight through him. A lump formed in his throat, a feeling which he wasn't used to within these halls.

"Speak."

The single word spoken by Emperor Vakaros echoed throughout, felt as loudly as a thunderstrike. The atmosphere stifling, he was certain one could hear a needle if it fell. The visitor quickly nodded and apologised quietly, before presenting his case.

"Emperor Vakaros, I have come to you today to ask for a plea. My family has been struggling to stay well fed, as we have fallen into poverty in the last few years. I humbly ask Your Radiance for any donation to get us through these times. Anything will do, we are not picky in what is given."

It was quiet for a bit. The elemental emperor had yet to change posture, make a movement or do anything besides speak a single word, since the visitor had entered the room. It felt as if lava was dripping from his flames, and in an act of desperation the visitor fell to the ground.

"Please! I beg of Your Radiance, we're desperate! We've grown to ignore the hunger, but starvation is impossible to! I ask of you, anything, literally anything to help my family! In turn I'd be happy to-"

"Quiet", was all Emperor Vakaros said, and like that all his words had been drowned out by the sheer presence of His Radiance alone.

The visitor looked up, fear evident in his eyes, as the emperor stood up from his throne- Easily towering above everyone at 9 feet, the glowing monstrosity took only a few strides and was already standing right in front of him. Commanding him to stand up with confidence, the visitor complied straight away, swallowing his dignity that he'd just, in fact, begged out of sheer despair.

"The Tempris lineage, wasn't it?"

He nodded, trying not to gulp down his nerves.

"How far you must've fallen, if what you said is true. From nobility into poverty. What caused this?"

You did.

YOU DID.

YOU AND YOUR WRETCHED BROKEN FAMILY DID.

"The state of the empire hasn't been... Fair on most, Your Radiance. I figured you'd be aware by now, after so many years", the visitor said instead, almost too quietly.

A loud sneer in response, and the visitor had a feeling this would come falling down sooner than later.

"Not fair on 'most', you say?" the emperor uttered almost mockingly. "Despite all the fairness I'd gifted it in my golden years? All thrown away as rejected gifts, the moment everyone's pleas had to go through royal letters and complaints instead? Despite all the loyalties I'd given on my behalf, torn to shreds as no aid ever befell my family upon the incident?"

"With due respect, Your Radiance, the entire empire felt its sting too, upon the abduction of your royal son Narukesh. But it is not us who should feel your wrath and lack thereof as a consequence."

The visitor knew he was treading dangerous territory. Even one wrong word, and he might not even make it out alive of this grand hall- He should've considered himself the luckiest elemental alive, by the fact he got granted an audience to begin with- Any sighting of Emperor Vakaros, let alone direct contact, was almost unheard of nowadays- Though it couldn't be helped. Anything to do with the empire nowadays was infuriatingly pointless, thoughts flooding the visitor's mind on why he'd even bothered in the first place.

"If the empire isn't to you and your family's liking anymore, why stay and complain, Tempris?"

He's had fucking enough.

"BECAUSE I ONCE CARED! FOR THE EMPIRE! FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOUR DAMNED SORROWS, YOU'D HAVE MOVED ON LIKE THE REST OF US ALREADY!"

Shit. Shit shit shit shi- The elemental emperor came dangerously close in the fraction of a second- A low growl becoming louder and louder- His Radiance restraining himself, the sound of weapons drawn and shields pulled by guards- In the wake of his own outrage, Emperor Vakaros came to meet it with a wrath far more threatening and terrifying.

"Out."

If the glow of a thousand suns was enough to blind someone, the visitor didn't want to see. He scrambled away as quick as he could, trying to keep his belongings and self together- Deathly afraid a ruthless swipe could swiftly end it all before even realising it- Expecting it to arrive any moment, but everything had gone eerily silent. It was only him and the sound of his shallow breathing, running through the maze that had its corridors closing into him more and more. Rushed footsteps as loud as explosions echoing through. In the last few seconds before he was out, the visitor heard his verdict.

"LEAVE AND NEVER RETURN TO THESE LANDS. THE TEMPRIS LINEAGE IS TO NEVER BEFALL MY GRACES EVER AGAIN."

The visitor and his remaining family went up in smoke promptly after- It marked the last audience ever granted by Emperor Vakaros himself. Henceforth the once welcoming gates remained shut, where His Radiance could wallow in his sorrows for as long as he wanted, without the disturbance of any outsider. No one could quite possibly understand his losses, for he'd lost his son- But by that extent also what was once a loving family in his wife and daughter- Both disappearing after a decade past the incident, for it was too much a burden to carry anymore. The responsibility thus fell onto the sole ruler left, who'd already little reason left to go on.

If the pleas and complaints and other miscellaneous responsibilities that came with ruling an empire, proved too much for his various advisors and guards- Well, then they could leave like the rest of them. The empire could rot for all he cared, for everything that made it a home, had already been taken from him. The few forces sent to seek out the truth still, returned with so little if anything. Whilst it was known what Emperor Vakaros needed to return to his former, glowing self, it was also known that no one could aid him- In that echoing darkness, his own dimming light was truly alone.

— FUELS FOR THE EMPIRE —

---

Of course, His Radiance was more than deserving of his title once. Named Vaal Ikaros before his rulership, he was passed the torch at a mere 55 years old. Born into a powerful lineage, the rulers before him were his very own parents. Rumours went he'd surpass his parents easily, perhaps even the oldest elemental ever recorded- For he glowed with a brightness never witnessed before, a sign of goodwill and longlasting life. And that he brought, undoubtedly, to more folks than just himself, once he was crowned Emperor Vakaros.

A stern but deeply caring ruler, Vaal Ikaros prioritised the empire before himself. Throughout its history, the elementals had always been known to stick to their own kind, for they were the last to be discovered by the world. Even as migration spiked after this initial contact, the majority stayed nearby, out of a sense of tradition, duty, family- Emperor Vakaros desired to change that sense into pride, for the empire to turn into a glowing radiance worthy calling of home.

And that he did.

His first advancement were proper regulations, rather than unspoken loyalties, to take care of the sick, the old, the poor- Every single elemental was to be looked after and taken care of within his empire. His second was as suitor, to enter a political but beloved marriage with the noble Mononoke, then titled Empress Mono. The third was to treat his citizens with respect, often holding open audiences to hear their voices- Especially in his first century of ruling, as he had to get to know the folks within his empire he swore to protect. The empire started to flourish once more after a rather balanced, but stagnant age, and the elementals within Ateu Vemunea were quite content with Vaal Ikaros' doings thus far.

The public adoration for the emperor and his family grew further, when their first child was on the way. By then, true love had blossomed between the two, becoming a couple outside of political reasonings also. It was about 150 years after Vaal Ikaros took the throne, that Liadawnes bestowed a joy upon the elemental folk- Another 50 after that, and it was Narukesh's turn. The joys bestowed upon the family reflected vividly, for they glowed even brighter than they already did. It was around this same time, that the infamous royal parties became a habit instead of a specialty- Everyone, regardless of status, always welcome- Thus the fourth advancement, to shower his family, his servants and his citizens with richments and luxuries where possible. Emperor Vakaros was by far the most beloved leader, a notion that remained until the very event that'd struck it all down.

— MINOR LIFTS AND MAJOR FALLS —

---

Panic overcame the palace, after the reports confirmed that Narukesh had disappeared into thin air- Not only did it affect the family, it did the guards, secretaries, advisors, cleaners and about everyone present within the walls of the keep. Vaal Ikaros stopped at nothing, sending out forces the second it was possible, into the furthest reaches of the continent, as well as the globe. The news reached the public a few days later, which was met with many blessings and prayers at shrines for the lost son. From day one of his absence, it was suspected to be an abduction- The only found remnant within familiar grounds, was a shredded, bloody piece of cloth.

A month after Narukesh's abduction, Emperor Vakaros held a public speech. Thanking everyone for their best wishes, he reminded his citizens that it was of utmost importance to look after themselves and their community together. All the efforts that they'd put together thus far for the royal son were undeniably much appreciated, albeit at the end of the day, it was an issue up to the royal family to fix. If it weren't for his wife knocking sense into him, Vaal Ikaros would've already razed down the world to find him. Told to have patience, he held out hope something would turn up eventually.

Time kept passing by as normal. After months, plenty of citizens were still giving their prayers at least once a week. After one year, whispers would still run amok the population, but understandably return to their own swing of things. After several years, it was as if the royal disappearance was all a fluke, unheard of within regular circles, but plenty discussed in royal ones still- Unfortunately it was understandably so, as there seemed to be no sign of developments, regardless of the efforts put in by the royal family.

It was a decade when Empress Mono had enough. Losing a child was already enough to inflict a scarring wound, but to keep endlessly searching with nothing new to show for it? It teared the empress apart, in a way that affected the ties to her family as well. Without announcement made to anyone, saved for two letters meant for a husband and daughter, Empress Mono went up into smoke as well. Vaal Ikaros was devastated to say the least, taking it way harder than his daughter did. From this point onwards, cracks started showing in the elemental ruler, with his rulership going downhill.

Vaal Ikaros had always openly cared for the empire and its citizens, of that was no doubt- Even if his open audiences and royal gatherings lessened after Narukesh's disappearance, he still had an attentive ear anytime anyone spoke up. It was as if he became blind and deaf to it all, once the empress had left these premises behind. Events kept running on the usual schedule, yet Vaal Ikaros wasn't there to actually attend. Hearing out complaints and pleas, yet a messenger had to pass the information to him. Many sympathies sent his way, the citizens wanted nothing but the best for him- Though now his daughter had to hear them out, and it added another weight onto their evergrowing strenuous bond. It all left a bitter taste, but who could blame him?

The elemental emperor seemed relatively unfazed, when it was his daughter's turn to get utterly sick of the state of affairs. Angry about the fact she was the de facto elemental leader. The fact that she was stepping into her father's shoes way too early. The fact that she didn't have any room left for actual growing up to do. The fact both brother and mother were gone, and the fact that that wouldn't seem to change any time soon, if at all. Threatening to leave, she was caught in the act of packing her belongings- She expected denying, screaming, crying, anything-

"If you must, darling. Know that you'll always have a place here, should you wish to return."

Liadawnes left after a tearful goodbye on her part, knowing that she, too, couldn't stand to be here anymore. It hurt her to witness her father wake up, sit on his throne, go to sleep day in day out. The father and emperor once looked up to, had stopped existing years ago- The bitter truth being, that glowing radiance would not return until an impossible dream was fulfilled- Something that she eventually grew to accept, as her mother before her, as well as the citizens. Emigration spiking the highest it ever had in their history, the empire was still the same safe, isolated haven it always had been- But the feeling of home longed elsewhere. And so, it was time to go.

The only one remaining, Vaal Ikaros failed to see why he should even care anymore. The pit was bottomless, and he was still on his way falling down.

— END OF DAWN —

---

Isolation had its occasional benefits that could outweigh the many detriments. As with most events nowadays, Emperor Vakaros remained unfazed even when demonic entities razed the planet during the End Of Dawn. Ateu Vemunea, as a continent, was luckily one of the secluded ones, not that easily reachable for anyone without the proper equipment. Whilst the other countries cried out for help, Emperor Vakaros let his troops do as needed. They were capable enough, no need to interfere for him- He hadn't had much need to be some warlord anyways. It was almost as casual as sitting back with a drink, and watching the world burn- The glow that once sparked His Radiance, had been dimmed for so long, he wouldn't know how to act without it.

Horrors beyond comprehension would befall those that witnessed the carnage, yet they were easily read over in reports. Situations plenty worse than the one faring in his empire- Perhaps he'd loosen his policies on refugees sometime soon. Plenty of soldiers lost, but that was on them, he thought- He didn't officially order them to go there, now did he?

Yet, when all hope had been lost for seemingly an eternity, the smallest of surprises would pop up. As the rest of the globe was struggling, his troops catching glimpses of the horrors that happened out there- A singular piece of intel, that proved to be perhaps something promising. To the west, a powerful entity much like his own, only familiar due to long-standing trading agreements- The Dragon Orc Empire, led by their High Kaiser, seemed to be a cold spot for demons to avoid. If witness accounts were to be believed, the rumours of their malpractices were to be true- Enslaving not only folks beneath them, but also demons.

And the most damning piece of evidence?

One of the slavers witnessed, adorned with a cape that matched that wretched piece of bloody cloth down to the tin.

It was the first time Vaal Ikaros seemed present in a long time, demanding for more intel on the Dragon Orcs- Albeit as discreetly as possible. Tensions hadn't ever been high with them, but it was known to not to mess with them regardless of their malpractices- They were the sole reason a global economy existed to begin with. If they fell down hard, so would everyone else, and Vaal Ikaros didn't want to start petty squabbles about spy ops just yet- Or let his economy fall to pieces, which likely would be the nail in the coffin for his empire.

A tiny bit of hope sparked within him once more. Perhaps this most significant of leads, caught at a coincidental crossroads, would grow into the grandest reveal yet. If it meant even the smallest chance of bringing back Narukesh, and by that extent his wife and daughter, and then by that extent himself and his empire, Vaal Ikaros would do everything to make it work.

— FUTURE ARC —

---

As the intel would slowly seep in through reports over the years, the true horrors of the Dragon Orcs would take the globe by storm. With many countries progressing, more and more disagreed with the actions of the Dragon Orcs- Vaal Ikaros was lucky he enclosed several deals to share information under the table. It was eventually discovered that the rumours were true- Enslaving way beyond their means, worshipping demons and utilising their magic for their record-holding outputs- Experimenting on their own to strengthen their power, as well as forcibly infusing demonic magic- An archdemon at the top, who'd opened the gateways to these possibilities for these orcs long ago, a deal struck by one of their predecessors- And most damning of all, word of a ginormous, furious elemental demon, fuelling their machinery for eternity.

It invoked a wrath in Vaal Ikaros he'd never felt before.

Combining forces with several other countries, the elemental emperor was the mind behind a siege on the Dragon Orc Empire. Sending forth their strongest forces, Vaal Ikaros was amongst them- One of the few ready to get his hands onto the orcs, without hesitation. Expectedly, the opponent proved to be durable and powerful, and taking down their outer walls alone would take weeks. Soldiers, warriors, mages and everyone capable put in all they could, fighting their way through the initial fodder that was put on the front lines- It was clear the Dragon Orcs were saving their best forces for last.

When the first outer wall finally broke down, the Dragon Orcs sent out stronger, mutilated slaves to cut through the opposition- Miles stronger than the fodder before them, forces were sliced through as if they were nothing. It was thanks to Emperor Vakaros and his strongest soldiers that they could push back- Morphing into their taller, stronger, monstrous forms, they cut down the brainwashed slaves in a similar fashion. As the elementals and their allies worked their way into the inner walls, the tides would slowly turn into their favour again.

However, the Dragon Orcs proved to be clever, as well. Pulling a trump card upon the breakage of the inner walls, a piercing roar echoed through the debris and ashes. Their surroundings glowing red, an unfathomably bright flame closing in on them- Slashing claws effortlessly through soldiers on the battlefield, as if they were nothing but mere pests- Fierce red eyes bore through as if splitting the planet in half- Standing at roughly 15 feet, a crimson elemental demon revealed itself amidst the smoke and screams. Vaal Ikaros was speechless.

That was his son.

His anger fuelling his wrath further, the elemental emperor cut through pesky orcs and their slaves alike, in a fit of pure rage. He refused to fight their trump card- In absolutely no way would he endanger his very own offspring he hadn't seen for thirty years. Yet none of his troops listened, when he ordered them to stand down- War cries and screams tore the atmosphere apart, as they were sure this would be the final opponent to defeat. Dread filled within the emperor, but more so father, as a mutated Narukesh cut through his forces without a doubt, as if his mind were long gone- Utilised and weaponised by the Dragon Orcs, it felt as if his son was taken away in more ways than mere abduction. The more allies Narukesh shot down, the more the tides turned against them once more- A choice had to be made incredibly quickly.

Either his comrades were left to die.

Or Vaal Ikaros had to take it upon himself to battle his son.

With a loud, deafening screech, the father caught the attention of the bloodied demon by screaming what was once his name- There was no resemblance nor recognition of his former son in the monster's eyes- Narukesh had already been torn from his family once, but to witness it and confirm it fully- It was torture. Wanting no more casualties but himself, Vaal Ikaros challenged the crimson monstrosity to a duel. All the screaming and fighting and dying in the background be damned- For nothing was as loud as his son's element tearing apart, as he slashed through it with his very own claws. Within seconds, the father was thrown back by force, as he were but a tiny bug in the way.

Vaal Ikaros realised soon enough just a duel wasn't enough.

Putting in everything he had in each slash, punch and hit he could land, Emperor Vakaros forced himself to forget whom he was fighting. This was a monstrosity doomed to die, if left to live, many more would fall. This isn't what Mononoke and Liadawnes would want for closure. This wasn't the Narukesh he once knew. This was torture, for both him and his son- Narukesh was long gone, imprisoned within whatever abomination was brought forth by the Dragon Orcs. Repeating those thoughts like a broken record, the father had to numb himself to it all.

Narukesh. Was. Gone.

Narukesh. Was. Long. Gone.

Narukesh. Was. Long. Gone.

He was at a disadvantage due to size and power difference, that much he knew. Yet he still landed bleeding wounds, and could reach where his s- The demon, couldn't. It was apparent the demon hadn't fought anything in his time of capture, as he was flailing around akin to an angry monster, rather than a skilled soldier. With his tactics on display, Vaal Ikaros outsmarted the monstrosity time after time- More wounds gushed open, blood spilling everywhere, raging cries deafening every soul present- His mind and soul long gone, it was for the better this way.

For the safety of his allies, his family and even himself, the following was clear- With a final, strong slash piercing through his heart, the monster fell by his father's own hands- Narukesh had been given his freedom.

Vaal Ikaros let out a hoarse wail, allowing himself to truly weep and grieve for the first time in decades.

But it wasn't over quite yet.

Infuriated that their most powerful force was defeated, the High Kaiser himself showed up amidst the rubble of corpses. Watching from behind the lines, Yaijinra had clearly underestimated the opposing force. The elemental emperor clearly beat down from the duel against his son- Though now he was in for a real one. Infused with the most powerful of demonic bloods, the High Kaiser was truly a sight to behold, his bloodlust portraying his intentions all too clearly.

Emperor Vakaros and High Kaiser Yaijinra fought one-on-one for approximately two days straight. Despite the High Kaiser's mutterings that Narukesh willingly struck a deal with them- Despite the mutterings that Narukesh wasn't abducted, but willingly came with- Despite the mutterings that Narukesh loathed his home- The elemental would hear none of it. It was nigh impossible his very own son would've sabotaged himself like this- If anything, it fuelled his wrath further to take down the Dragon Orcs once and for all. Blow after blow, slash after slash, hit after hit- The two rulers were left to their own devices, as outsiders helped their forces back on their feet relatively undisturbed and unnoticed.

It was as if the two had an entire battleground to themselves, with no one to tally the score during those 48 hours. However, when it seemed either side wouldn't reign victory, Emperor Vakaros and High Kaiser Yaijinra were forced to a truce. After all, the elemental emperor had gotten what he wanted- His son Narukesh now at peace, his closure gained- As a bonus, the High Kaiser's empire disadvantaged. With their fuel gone, it meant they could never reach their high rates of efficiency ever again- Nor feed from powerful demonic blood.

With many losses on all sides, eventually the elementals and the Dragon Orcs reluctantly shook hands, going their separate ways. Their few trade deals cut off, all contact with the Dragon Orcs was then officially ceased- Other countries, but not all eventually followed- It resulted in a significant loss of revenue, which perhaps would... Humble the Dragon Orcs in the time to come. Upon return to his home, the elemental empire celebrated and mourned with Vaal Ikaros for Narukesh. An official funeral held for the lost royal son, who'd finally returned in the shape of bright crimson ashes. Emperor Vakaros was frankly utterly broken from the conclusion of his son's disappearance, but at last, he had the closure needed to move past it now.

A few months after the siege, Vaal Ikaros was beyond tears when Empress Mono and their daughter Liadawnes returned. A tearful, yet happy and much needed reunion made the family bond again after all those years, and finally they could support one another to mourn. The chapter on the lost royal son was closed once and for all. Slowly but surely, Vaal Ikaros eventually returned to his former days of radiance. His passion for his family, his citizens and his empire would return soon enough- The same would go for his wife and daughter. Given the opportunity to heal as a whole, the empire had a chance to restore itself to glory once more. The love for their home had returned, and Vaal Ikaros didn't want it to be diminished ever again.