The military escort with great fanfare passed through the teleportation point, BERZOOP, continuing towards the Celestial Emperor's castle. The Celestial Emperor, warned by his minister, knew Atlas was coming. Even if he hadn’t, the unmistakable sounds of the army marching to the Fort Bone Empire’s anthem would’ve given them away.
Atlas led the parade, moving slowly through the town. People watched in awe. They had never seen such a spectacle in the Wasteland before. Normally, when armies rolled out to fight, it was a ragtag group thrown together with whatever scraps they could find. Matching armor? Ha, hardly! Every coin was too precious for such luxuries. But Atlas had splurged, oh yes, splurged on that golden ceremonial armor for his troops. Between the soldiers' gleaming gold armor, the striking pink accents, and their sleek black stallions, the army of Fort Bone looked like they had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.
But beneath all that shine and flair, those troops were battle-hardened. The kind that had seen more death than anyone should.
‘‘‘
When they arrived at the towering castle of the Celestial Empire, its grand, Asian-inspired walls loomed high above. Olivia announced in a clear, ringing voice, “Atlas and the Portal Crushers from the Fort Bone Empire are here to greet the Celestial Emperor.”
The guards, with a dramatic flourish, banged their pikes on the ground, and the doors creaked open. Leaving the army behind, Atlas, the two trolls, and Olivia, along with her diplomats, stepped inside. The hall was enormous, stretching wide, with ministers on their knees, heads bowed, lining both sides.
The inner throne room of the Celestial Empire was a grand spectacle of opulence and architectural mastery, designed to awe all who entered. The room was expansive, with towering ceilings adorned with intricate murals depicting celestial battles and the empire’s storied history. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from above, casting a soft, shimmering glow across the polished obsidian floors, which reflected the brilliant colors of the murals above.
At the far end of the room stood the throne, a monumental seat crafted from shimmering silver and inlaid with jewels that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly light. The throne was elevated on a dais, flanked by two colossal statues of ancient guardians, their eyes glowing faintly as if watching over the proceedings. Rich tapestries depicting the Celestial Empire’s triumphs draped the walls, each stitch telling a tale of glory and conquest.
The air was filled with a subtle, sweet fragrance, and soft music played from hidden sources, creating an atmosphere of serenity amidst the grandeur. Potted exotic plants with bioluminescent leaves were strategically placed, adding a touch of life and vibrancy to the regal space.
Surrounding the throne were intricately carved pillars, each one telling a different story of the empire’s rulers and their legacies. Courtiers and advisors gathered in reverent silence, their colorful garments contrasting against the dark, luxurious tones of the room. This inner throne room was not just a place of power; it was a testament to the Celestial Empire’s might and elegance, designed to inspire loyalty and reverence in all who entered.
And at the far end, on a dragon-themed throne, sat the Celestial Emperor himself.
‘‘‘
Atlas, his voice steady, said, “We give you greetings from the Fort Bone Empire.”
The Celestial Emperor, regal and aloof, responded, “The Celestial Emperor welcomes you. Now, what brings you into our presence?”
Olivia, ever the diplomat, took over, “As you know, war is approaching between us and America United.” She paused briefly, watching as the Emperor nodded. “We are here in hopes of an alliance. With our two settlements united on different continents, taking control of this entire Wasteland and achieving the 100 tokens before returning home is no longer a dream—it’s a reality. But first,” she said, nodding toward her diplomats, “we have this to present to you.”
Two women, dressed in elegant cheongsam, approached, carrying a wooden treasure box. One handed it to the minister closest to the Emperor, who then presented it to the Celestial Emperor with great reverence.
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The Emperor opened the box carefully. Inside lay the token for the Earth Dragon.
“What’s this?” he asked, curiosity piqued.
Olivia smiled, “This is a token of our appreciation. Regardless of how the negotiations go, Fort Bone has always admired the civilization and culture of the Celestial Emperor and his empire.”
The Celestial Emperor nodded slowly, “We appreciate it.”
Olivia added, “If you wouldn’t mind clearing some space, you can activate the token.”
The Emperor hesitated slightly but passed the token to his minister, “Clear space for this.”
Olivia quickly interrupted, “Hold on. Don’t let him activate it. You need to activate it.”
The Emperor’s mind raced. ‘Is this a trap?‘ They had an army outside, but only a hundred men. ‘We could crush them easily, especially if they tried anything in the throne room.‘ His eyes darted to the guards with crossbows, perfectly lined up, watching. Not wanting to show fear, he straightened his posture and said confidently, “Of course, I’m happy to activate the token of friendship.”
Olivia corrected him smoothly, “It’s not just a token of friendship. It’s a token of your authority.”
The Emperor blinked. “Oh.”
He stepped off his towering throne. And that’s when Atlas noticed—he’s short. Five foot six, maybe. Atlas chuckled inwardly, amused by the thought of the Emperor compensating for his height. ‘No wonder his throne’s so high up.‘
As the Emperor descended the long staircase, he seemed to shrink even more, and Atlas couldn’t help but smile. ‘Short guy problems,‘ he thought. The Emperor might have the world at his feet, but in front of these towering Westerners, he looked even smaller.
‘‘‘
The Emperor stood in the cleared space and crushed the token. With a sharp CRACK, The token shattered, and suddenly, a majestic Asian-style dragon materialized. It was immense—easily taking up most of the hall. Made entirely of bone, the dragon's body shimmered, each rib arching like the curve of a crescent moon. Its skull was fearsome, with hollow eye sockets that seemed to glow faintly, as if life still pulsed within it. Intricate horns twisted back from its head, adding to its fearsome, otherworldly appearance.
The dragon’s long, serpentine body coiled gracefully through the air, its bones clinking together in an eerie, rhythmic melody as it moved. Its tail whipped around, bony spines rattling against the floor, while its skeletal wings, sharp as blades, stretched wide, casting dark, flickering shadows over the room. Though made of bone, it radiated an undeniable presence—a creature that had once dominated the skies, now reborn in spectral glory.
‘‘‘
The dragon, when still, looked like an elaborately carved bone statue.
But when it moved? It was a nightmare brought to life. The undead creature was terrifying, each bone shifting like it had a mind of its own. The Emperor, watching in awe, thought, ‘I really need a saddle for this thing. Those bones do not look comfortable.‘
He attempted to command it mentally, focusing hard. ‘Kneel,‘ he commanded. The dragon obeyed, sinking gracefully to the ground. The Emperor grinned, satisfied. “This is indeed a worthy present for an Emperor,” he declared, turning to Atlas and the Portal Crushers. “We should move out of these chambers and go somewhere more private to speak.”
Olivia nodded in agreement. They all followed the Emperor into the inner war council chamber, where, unsurprisingly, the Celestial Emperor sat down on another throne.
The War Chamber of the Celestial Emperor was an intimate yet commanding space designed for strategic meetings that shaped the future of the empire. The walls were lined with dark, polished wood, giving the room a sense of warmth and solidity. Flickering lanterns, crafted from ornate metalwork, cast a soft, golden glow, illuminating the intricate map of the empire that stretched across the central table.
At the heart of the room stood a large, oval table made from rare, iridescent stone, its surface etched with maps of territories, troop movements, and key battle sites. Surrounding the table were high-backed chairs upholstered in deep crimson fabric, each one offering both comfort and an air of authority.
On one side of the room, a large holographic display projected three-dimensional images of the empire’s territories, allowing for dynamic presentations of strategic plans. This display was flanked by shelves filled with scrolls and tomes containing the empire’s military history and tactical knowledge.
The chamber was decorated with banners and insignias representing the Celestial Empire’s most notable victories, each one a reminder of the might and glory that the emperor commanded. A few strategically placed weapons, including ornate swords and ceremonial spears, added an imposing touch, signifying readiness for battle.
Despite its small size, the War Chamber exuded an air of gravity and importance, making it a space where critical decisions were made. The atmosphere was charged with focus and determination, with the emperor and his advisors gathering here to forge strategies and uphold the empire’s strength.
Atlas couldn’t help but think, ‘Man, this guy loves his pomp and circumstance.‘
The Celestial Emperor leaned forward, clasping his hands. “So, let’s get down to what we both want.”
Olivia, ever diplomatic, asked, “Should we continue addressing you as the Celestial Emperor?”
“Why, of course,” the Emperor responded with a smug smile. “How else would you address me? And I shall address you as Olivia, just as my minister does. And, of course, we all know who you are, Atlas.”
Atlas grinned, “Nice to meet you, your... Emperor-ness.”
The Celestial Emperor flinched. He wasn’t sure if Atlas was making fun of him with that Emperor-ness bit. ‘Was he?‘ He narrowed his eyes slightly, but said nothing.
