King Barranagan's defeat of the mad emperor had effectively made the Stygian the next emperor of Aurum were he only to accept. He stood as the supreme being of the nine realms and none would be able to deny it or dare challenge him for it. His conquest of the realms and eventual ascension heralded a new age, one that had been long overdue by a handful of centuries. However most importantly of all, it meant that the Stygians most coveted treasure would finally be returned. He could have reunited the grimoires for the first time in multiple millennia. And yet when the opportunity presented itself, Barranagan rejected both birthrights. For so long had Antares been utterly baffled by his father's decision not to claim his worthy title, in truth all of Aurum was. For all that Barranagan had sacrificed in pursuit of saving Aurum–both known and unknown–his son believed it was the least he deserved in recompense. However because of his decision against it the grimoires had now continued to remain separate for the better part of ten thousand years. Not since the rule of Empress Xerxia Xerxes and her Long Winter reign did the true form of the grimoires take shape. King Antares was greatly pained by what he believed he needed to say next. Even still what he sought was greater than honoring the memory of his father. He would put the lives of his people before anyone, even him.

"Yes he was." The King of Iliad's words echoed through the hall. "He was wrong about other things as well." Antares glanced at Emperor Nero who rocked his grandchild to sleep. "But he is not alone, all of my ancestor kings and queens were wrong too. Those who desired not to reunite the grimoires shunned their duty. I will not be the same."

"And are the other northern rulers in agreement with the King of The North?" Saturn looked around, resting his eyes on the towering King Satori Sugawara who looked on with his shut.

"Ichika is still bound by the old ways," his voice utterly soothing. "Our debt is eternal. When we escaped the persecution of the Jade Empire, it was the Stygians who gave us safety in what is now our realm. If the Stygian King demands our grimoire we will do as instructed." The Enlightened One opened his eyes and gazed pleasantly at the boy he had known since the Stygians birth.

Antares nodded in acknowledgement, offering a smile in return. Saturn turned to his left addressing The rulers of Laconia and Avalon respectively.

"And what say you kings?"

King Dion cleared his throat, "We are also tied to the old ways, Iliad freed us from unjust captivity at the hands of the Alchemists of Zosimos. We are eternally bound in servitude. " The King of Laconia offered a placated bow to Antares. "So if it is the will of Iliad, we will obey." The Beastmen King did well to hide his discomfort at the question.

"I admittedly hesitate," all cautiously looked at the King of Knights. "What you ask is no easy thing, King Antares. I trust you know that?"

Antares lowered his gaze.

"Yet it is that very reason that also moves me to trust you. My trepidations aside, Avalon owes a great deal to Iliad and her Stygians. We are honor bound to your realm. Your requests stretches the upper limits of that binding. Nevertheless it still holds firm. If Iliad asks for the grimoires, we will obey." King Artorias offered a hearty smile.

Antares would not relax yet, he was gladdened that his brother's actions these last five years had not completely eroded away alliances that had been created over thousands of years. The various acknowledgements from the northern monarchs served to boost his claim and desire. He would not come with violence or threats. The truth was more than enough to prove to them the rightful owners of the grimoires.

The lumbering Terran King sat back unfazed, He looked to his allied southern realms. "What does the south say?"

"We reject such demands," Crown Prince Galahad was defiant. "We honor the will of the true ways. The grimoires must remain separated so we remain equal, as God-King Gilgamesh Xerxes decreed."

Roderika looked at her brother, she tried to read his thoughts and was met with nothing. "I... concur with Crown Prince Galahad." The Queen of Lunaelia turned a furrowed brow in the direction of Antares, "My sister is not an item to be bargained with. I will not be forced to choose between her or my realm."

Saturn turned to the last of his allies, "Queen Enrieta?"

The Nephilim Queen rested her chin on her interlocked fingers, "I would gladly hand you our grimoire."

Nero's cheerful smile vanished. He watched as Roderika and Galahad rose to their feet in objection. The old emperor had enjoyed what he had seen so far. He was glad he trusted his dwindling instincts one last time to attend. He had wondered a great deal about what kind of man Antares Xerxes was. The Stygian he was looking at was beyond anything he could have imagined of Barranagan's second son. Try as the Stygian King might to hide it completely, the old emperor could pick up the faintest traces of desperation in his words, and that was enough for Nero to speculate on a great many things. There was much he wanted to ask him about, many things he wanted to know. The emperor was curious how far he would push Saturn.

However his daughter was as keen as he was and Enrieta had ruined his excitement with her brazen declaration, one he was not expecting her to make. His wayward daughter had always been the most eccentric of his children, often uncontrollable and destructive. Nero had agreed to help her on a whim, but not in service of her plans and certainly not of the Stygian King's. He listened intently to what she would say.

"Give me Hightower," a devilish grin tore through her face. "You can abandon this silly ceremony, decline to marry my little sister and go home. I offer you something my father will not. I will buy Hightower from you, with my own grimoire."

They were all stunned, from monarchs to their lord regents. There was an air of immovable silence. The offer by the Nephilim Queen was beyond anything that any of them could have expected. Antares was no exception, a rare look of dismay across his face. An unlikely ally was found in an ancient enemy. All he had to do was agree, a simple act. The words nearly escaped his lips, but he caught himself, for his initial thought was right. The choice was too easy. There had to be more to it, could Enrieta truly value Hightower more than her grimoire? Antares lips parsed open ready to speak.

"I jest!" Enrieta Zxyphor laughed loudly. "You should see the looks on all of your faces." The Nephilim Queen turned to Antares, "It is as you said King of Iliad. Hightower is not for sale at any price, I would hate to prove you a liar. However far more importantly, Vanaheimr has no interest in assisting its former slave masters. Certainly without sizable compensation and approval from the emperor." She raised her glass to her father and returned her gaze to the Stygian King.

Antares bit his lower lip and looked away from her, he turned his attention to the queen sitting next to him.

"Queen of Neith, what say you?" he asked, already knowing her answer.

Emma blushed at the new gaze that was on her. From the first time she had seen Antares, she was captivated by his appearance. A large talking point she was aware of but one that she had never thought would live up to expectation. The Stygian King more than surpassed them, however they were not enough to mask the incredible demand he wanted. She more than most had looked forward to seeing the Ilian King. His return to the throne brought stability to a realm that had chosen to close itself off from the rest of Aurum. Even so with Antares' ascension, and coming south to claim the emperor's daughter as a wife. It showed her that a new age within Aurum would be blossoming. Yet that future teetered with the demands of the northern king. She needed more than just his word.

"King Antares, you speak the truth." Emma found the courage to meet his eyes, "These grimoires belong to your people that will never be disputed. However I believe your father was right to leave the grimoires as they are. God-King Gilgamesh said 'Let each grimoire represent a foundation, that all of the realms that they inhabit are equal.'"

There was surprising power and wisdom in her words. They carried gravitas and all the monarchs listened intently to her. There was no doubt that Queen Emma Vezimeer belonged in that room.

"I need more than your simple desire to adhere to old traditions, that many of your own former ancestors did not uphold. You must give me a greater reason for why you wish to unsettle the balance your father, Lady Tereza and the emperor created."

Antares did not respond. He acknowledged her words with a slight nod. He had not expected her to have such a strong Will, and yet that is what his eyes showed him while she spoke. The unwavering belief held in her words and her thoughts. The Stygian King could only look on in envy. He had underestimated her, he would not make that same mistake twice. He turned his head to the last of the monarchs, waiting for the final decree from the King of Talterra.

Saturn toiled about in his head for what he wished to say, and how he wished to say it. This prideful demand by the Stygian King had inflicted a great offense to him. For so long Aurum operated without the need for the Stygians. His father had carefully through many decades sought to unite not just the southern realms but the northern ones as well. The only obstacle to that goal was the man who sat across from him now. The man his wife loved. The King of Talterra failed to see what his queen saw. For all that was spoken about his appearance, his actions seemed to be one that carried greater concern. Had the Stygians fallen that far that this was the best they could produce, once again his fathers words echoed true about Iliad and her ancient rulers. When he looked into the sunset eyes of the Twilight King, all he saw was unchecked danger. Antares Xerxes, oozed instability.

"What did you hope to achieve?" King Saturn asked, his eyes firmly on the Stygian ruler. "A century we have thrived without your influence. A decision made by your father, exasperated by your brother. And because you are king, you believed you could come here and what? Have your way?"

There was no emotion in his voice, only an indifferent tone that was filled with the weight of an entire realm behind it. No, perhaps all of human civilization.

"You treat marriage to my sister, the emperor's daughter, like it is some past time... unworthy of your attention. You speak of Hightower with such disdain and yet hold on to it so tightly. You demand the grimoires as though you are emperor, when a few weeks ago, you were an exiled prince, a failure, known as a drunkard who spent his time at pleasure houses and a kin killer."

Casspien Xerxes stepped forward and the room shook. The air the Lord Regent of Iliad carried was violent, he had quietly stood there and listened to the insults hurled at his king. However, he would no longer do so. The King of Talterra had dared to cross a line that ordinarily would have resulted in the loss of his head. To speak of that which he did not know, to dare to speak of matters of Iliad, of Nykolas in both his and Antares' presence. It was clear that the humans had forgotten themselves and who it was they were in the presence of. This was meant to be an open discussion that had now devolved into talking down on the Stygian King of all beings. No more. That is what his single advance signified, there would not be another allowed to speak with such disrespect. None would be permitted the right to do as they pleased, not while he stood there.

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"You are volatile King Antares," Saturn stated matter of fact. "You and your people. You seek to be left alone, yet involved in all matters of Aurum. And where you perceive provocation, all you leave is death and blood in your wake."

Lord Casspien prepared to speak, but was instantly silenced by King Antares turning his head towards him. A chill ran down the spine of the Lord Regent and he quickly regained his composure and took a step back. The tension in the room had loosened with the action and all waited in silence. The unnatural way the Stygian King sat there not once offering to defend himself gave them all cause for concern, except Saturn that is. He no longer cared, he was aware his father meant to make a farce of his sister's naming ceremony, but that did not mean the King of Talterra had to play along. If his actions here called off the potential marriage so be it. He would voice his displeasure unimpeded.

"Truth be told, I had no intention of coming south." He ran his hand across the stylized stone table. "I have been advised by many against it, by my council, by the Elders, the Golden Company and my Lord Regent." A bemused smile crossed Antares face as he motioned to Casspien.

"Even your own father Queen Emma," he offered her a welcoming smile. "Warned me about the journey I was on. I found it strange." He tapped the table rhythmically, "Everyone talks of peace and yet all I see and feel are trepidations at the slightest of actions."

Antares had observed them with his Akashic Eyes as they spoke. Those he considered allies looked to have wavered in their support and belief in him and his people. While others saw the opportunity for a new age within Aurum, one where new lines of power were drawn. Despite his own personal qualms about his father's action. He wanted to see the fruits of what he had sacrificed, of what Aurum had asked of him in her defense. The son of Barranagan was left unsatisfied, only Satori and Saturn looked unwavering in their beliefs. The rest of them toiled with a great many thoughts, their souls burdened by responsibility. He could not reconcile with the peace he had envisioned and the peace his father had given them. The king wondered if Hyperion had faced the same feelings he now harbored. Antares raised his head to address them how he believed Hyperion would.

"Before there were nine realms, there were four." He raised his fingers, "Before there were four, there were two. And before that, there was one. One singular monolith that encompassed all of Aurum. A paradise for her people, all of it given to them by their Queen."

Antares kept his face on Saturn, and his eyes shifted to his sister. "Queen Roderika Altieri, you think I use marriage to your sister to bargain? You agree with your brother that I act as though it is a pastime?"

Roderika did not respond, too ashamed to do so. She knew her outburst earlier was unwarranted. She had been unsettled by Enrieta's revelation and only spoke out of turn. To accuse another monarch so brazenly of using her sister as an object was not to be taken lightly. She insulted the Stygian King, no matter how she felt, that was unacceptable.

"You would think I would treat a title that is so coveted as 'Queen of the Stygians' with such impunity? A title that is older than Lunaelia itself?" he moved his attention to Galahad. "Older than Vistoria and the last of her dragons?"

There was authority in his words, greater than that of a king.

"Before there were nine realms, there were four and before that there was one. And it was ruled by the Queen of the Stygians. It is you all who do not understand the gravity of your emperor's decision to offer her hand in marriage."

None spoke, resigned to offer the Stygian King that respect at least.

"I have never agreed with the decision my father made. It is no secret, the peace he fought for, foreign to me. Yet here I thought, let me journey south and look into the eyes of a woman who was born because of it. Perhaps in her I could see what my father sacrificed, that made it so he be riddled with deep scars across his entire body and grievous wounds in recompense."

Antares had not meant to reminisce; the memory of his father still remained strong with him. He had observed a great many things in his short time in the south. Even now he could not see the peace his father had hoped for. Celebrations carried out throughout the city were only an excuse to hide the uncertainty of the gathering of all monarchs. Many celebrated his potential union with Reza and in the same breath their nature revealed the truth of the fear and confusion that truly gripped them. He had found himself in a putrid cauldron masked with the scent of platitudes and niceties.

"I did not come with war, I did not come with violence. I came to find a worthy queen and to reclaim what was once ours." King Antares looked disgusted, "Instead I am attacked and berated by the south. And the rest of the north seems uncomfortable to stand by my side. So forgive me if I choose to have an insouciant attitude while I am here. To keep the 'peace' you so desperately crave." The Ilian King leaned forward with his hands interlocked, eyes never leaving the Terran ruler.

"You say my people are volatile?" his words venomous. "Tell me King Saturn since you have such a keen grasp of our history. When the south waged war with the Empire of the Three Kings and begged for our assistance subsequently as they faced annihilation. Were we volatile then? Or when the Jade Empire invaded the shores of Lunaelia and Ichika seeking what was stolen. Was it not us who came to their aid? Certainly we cannot forget when the Dragon Lords ruled Aurum for several thousand years, burning and raping everything in their path. Surely it was not us the other realms crawled to, Talterra included. Do I need to even mention the mad emperor Dioxeyes Blackrose your grandsire and the chaos he wrought before my father slayed him?"

Antares reminded them of the history of their home. There was an immutable fact when one gazed throughout the thousands upon thousands of years of life on the lands of Aurum. A single line in the book of their home's history that remained constant. When darkness befell Aurum, it was the Stygians who returned the light.

Regardless of what transpired within the borders of Aurum or the countless conflicts that have stained her grounds. When those within her were threatened it was always her oldest children that would stand in response first. That would give their lives so readily. Throughout the millennia each of the realms had sought the assistance of the Stygians in one way or another, the power they held was simply too great to ignore. Their famed Stygian Steel coupled with their superhuman abilities made many of them demi-gods in their own right. Such a power was not so easily overcome.

Nevertheless the south, and by extension many humans had come to believe that they had grown enough to look at these ancient and long-lived beings as equal. Antares' speech was not only a reminder of the greatness the Stygians had accomplished throughout the ages. It also inadvertently reminded the monarchs gathered here, just how long the Stygians had held power and the widening gap separating them from the rest of Aurum. Antares did not know it but his words here had awoken a dormant sensation within the monarchs. Each of them interpreted the meaning differently, but all the same. They would seek to no longer be looked down upon, they sought to be seen as equal in the eyes of the Stygians in their own ways.

"All you do is take, take our lands, our tools, our help." The Stygian King did not hide his disgust, bearing it at Saturn. "You take our Hightower, You take…the Storm Islands from me, deny me who was mine. And think I will not react? If I am volatile, it is only because you reek of greed."

Antares did not mention her name, there was no need to. All present waited for Saturn's reaction, that is except one. The King of Talterra began to rise.

"This has been an eventful gathering my fellow monarchs!" King Satori Sugawara cheerfully declared. "To speak so candidly among equals should be treasured and not so easily taken advantage of. Do you not agree King Saturn?" The ruler of Ichika waited for a reply.

"I do…" Saturn retook his seat.

"So we must commend King Antares for not taking any offense to accusations levied his way by yourself or your allies, yes?" he tilted his head slightly, the smile on his face never wavering. "For any one of us would have reacted far harsher to questions of our legitimacy or intentions, right?"

"You are correct…" Saturn turned to Antares and bowed in respect, "Forgive me King Antares."

"And King Antares, surely you must understand to you Stygians a hundred years may not be that long, but to us mere humans it is an entire lifetime. It will take some time for us to get…used to your presence again." Satori urged Hyperion's little brother to calm himself.

Antares heeded the call and did so, "...I do. Fellow rulers of Aurum forgive my lack of patience."

"Wonderful!" Satori clasped his hands together. "Now If I am to understand, King Antares you are to spend the afternoon with your betrothed-to-be. I hope you will not allow this silly meeting to disrupt your mood. May you find the peace your father, Emperor Nero and Lady Tereza created in her."

"I could not have said it better myself!" Nero bellowed, waking his grandson in his lap.

The Enlightened One had called an end to the meeting and all listened, including the Stygians. Such was the might and power of Satori Sugawara, King of Ichika. His persistent silence throughout discussions proved to be a powerful act. He chose to allow the younger rulers to discuss amongst themselves, most importantly he wished to see the kind of monarch Antares was. However what was meant to be a casual conversation had begun to evolve into an accusatory shouting match, one the Ichikan King was in no mood for. Antares' demand for the grimoires was unexpected but should not have been met with disrespect no matter how justified the southern monarchs had felt.

Satori caught a glance of Enrieta before resting his eyes on Antares. The Nephilim Queen was too unpredictable, the ease in which she was able to unsettle all present here was not something that should have been overlooked. However Satori had more pressing concerns, he watched as Antares rose prepared to depart and exchanged a pleasant nod with the young king. The King of Ichika would seek the right time to speak with him later.

"Are you alright?" Casspien studied his king's expression.

Antares ran a hand through his hair, "I am not. But no matter, forgive my outburst my dear friend."

Casspien placed a hand on his shoulder, "You were far gentler than I would have been." He gave him a slight smile, "I am glad you listened to my warnings that night we gathered by the fires."

The king chuckled, as his mood softened slightly, "I must go to her, will you be alright?"

"The meeting between the Lord Regents should be far quieter and boring. Just how I like it."

They exchanged playful nods. The first half and the most dangerous part of the summit had been concluded. Now that all the kings and queens had voiced their various grievances and concerns. It was now the role of the Lord Regents of the differing realms to come together and see what claims could be realistically achieved between the kingdoms. No doubt the biggest topic of conversation to be had would rest on King Antares desire for the grimoires. The next few hours would be filled with grueling debate as well as deep conversations over food and wine. The monarchs would be entertained in other ways, and the work would be left to their most trusted advisors.

"King Antares, may I join you?" Enrieta Zxyphor approached with a pleasant smile. "It is a big castle and you may lose your way."

Antares was in no mood to entertain the Nephilim Queen after her antics, but he could feel the eyes of the other monarchs on him. "Why of course Queen Enrieta, I would love the company." He forced himself to smile.

King Antares exchanged a pleasant goodbye with his Lord Regent and bid farewell to the rest of the monarchs of Aurum. Saturn held his gaze for a moment longer than most, but he did not react. It was as Satori Sugawara had declared, enough. His focus now was on what came next and who stood beside him. He would see if Princess Reza was worthy of the title of Queen of Iliad. Although truthfully Antares did not care if she was. His mind had been made up, he would put an end to this farce. There would be no wedding.

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