Meanwhile, deep in the imperial palace's throne room, the three heroes gasped and shuttered. Once their patron placed the blessing, each of them endured immense pain.

  The experience lasted only for a moment, but it was enough to bring all three to their knees. Gasping with strained breaths, they slowly ascended to their feet, to the emperor's joy.

  Regious inspected the trinity, eventually falling back into comfort at their renewed vigour. Once the heroes had risen, each of them inspected their bodies for any changes.

  They felt over their arms and torsos, frowning all the while. As they continued their inspection, the emperor patiently waited.

  Jasmine was the first to complete and immediately turned to the throne. "What now?" She asked sternly, halfway between a request and an expectation.

  Regious didn't react and instead cleared his throat, adjusted his position and then spoke, this time in a more casual tone. "Alright, heroes, I will level with you." The formerly regal emperor ascended from his throne, walking casually over. "Everything I said before you can ignore, mostly, it was all for show for the nobility." Stating matter-of-factly, he shrugged.

  The three stood dumbfounded. "I don't understand. Are you trying to tell us that was all acting?" Jasmine asked, curious to see where this was going.

  The emperor sighed, helplessly. "Unfortunately, yes." He crossed their path and moved to the side. "If you feel up for it, walk with me?"

  The three assessed themselves and agreed to follow. A group of the emperor, three earthling heroes, several guards, and two robed men left the room.

  Once entering the corridor, they took a left, leading to an opulent hallway adorned with gold and red. Spaced evenly were several portraits of past monarchs, painted in regal finery.

  Regious turned to the heroes. "The situation is far more complicated than a simple demonic threat." He spoke with weariness, as if the words weighed heavier than expected.

  Before the emperor could continue, Peter rudely interjected. "What do you mean? This isn't a whole fight the demon king type deal?" Rattling out two abrupt questions, he remained oblivious to the fact that he interrupted royalty.

  The guards frowned, prompting Regious to calm them. Returning to meet the young man's gaze, he answered. "No, it is not. There hasn't been a king of demons for over five hundred years, not since the rift in the lower planes was closed." Looking at the ceiling, he recalled memories from the long past.

  The emperor looked wistful and sombre. It was as if he could see the past between the lines of the decorative ceiling carved centuries ago.

  Peter and Lucy both look confused, but Jasmine remains unfazed. They all continued down the hallway until Regious stopped at a portrait. The painting depicted was in bright pastel colours, the visage of a beautiful dark-skinned woman.

  She appeared to be in her early twenties; she wore a long flowing red gown and a crown neatly placed on her head. Her face was without blemish, except for a mole on her left cheek. She had lustrous red hair and smiled brightly.

  Regious gazed at the portrait longingly, his eyes turning cloudy. Quickly, he shook his head and turned to the heroes. "Who is she?" Jasmine asked softly, as if she noticed the man's inner turmoil.

  The emperor's shoulders slumped, reaching out to caress the image as if he could somehow bring her to life. Alas, he retracted and turned back to the three.

  "Her name was Samara, and she was my wife." He visibly slumped, and his entire presence seemed to dim. Still, he clenched his fist and held his head up high. "Over a year ago, federation extremists assassinated her," he said. "No, that's not accurate. The assassin claimed to be of the federation, but he was not. He was of the Legion, part of the new pro Demi-human movement."

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  Regious noticed their confusion and quickly collected himself. Looking back at the portrait, he lingered for a moment before continuing. "Your summoning was to prevent a war between my nation and there's. Since neither of us has any desire for a war at all." The moment he uttered those words, all three heroes stopped in their tracks.

  Peter was the first to speak, his face keenly interested. "If you all want peace, then why aren't you guys just going after the Legion or whatever they are called?" Asking the obvious question with a certain naivety.

  "A fine question, lad. In truth, many of our citizens don't see a difference between these extremists and federation citizens." Sighing, he looked down at his fine robes, brushing his fingers down the gold filigree. "As the situation gets worse, more Demi-humans will join their cause and soon we will have no choice but to respond."

  Still slightly confused, Peter spoke again. "But if both of you guys are on the same page, can't you just tell your people to stop fighting?"

  Regious and Jasmine both chucked almost instantaneously. The two exchanged a look. "Because, my dear boy, a nation is not its rulers." Regious looked poignantly at Peter like a teacher to a student.

  Before he could finish, Jasmine completed his sentence. Jasmine completed his sentence before he could finish, saying, "A nation is its people, and I'm guessing your people are not as unified?"

  The emperor nodded. "You are correct, my dear. The empire has many parts, just like the federation. They are not all are on the same parchment." He explained.

  The group lingered in silence. No one spoke, not even a whisper. "This is all pretty complicated. What exactly do you want us to do?" Peter asked with reckless abandon, not even considering or noticing the complete annoyance on every imperial guard.

  The emperor raised a hand, and the guards stood to attention. Their muscles seemed to tighten, and their faces were stern, without a shred of emotion.

  The emperor coughed to get the attention of all. With all their gazes set upon him, he unveiled his intentions. "Well, first you three need to learn." His eyes glowed with a mischievous air, accompanied by a wide smug smile. With the confused attention of the heroes, the emperor gestured.

  "Master Scholar Davos, please come here." Gazing past the heroes towards the robed men. "Master Spiritus Rita, please come as well." Prompted by his imperial majesty, the two-robed figures approached.

  Appearing just to the emperor's side, they both lowered their hoods, revealing themselves. An elderly man in his sixties was on the left, closest to the emperor. His face held the years he had lived with every crease and wrinkle. Wearing a simple grey robe with the insignia of a book and quill on the left breast. The elderly man appeared to be a stereotypical old wise man.

  Rita was young and elegant, looking to be around her early thirties. Her dark auburn hair was short and neatly tied up in a bun. The smile adorned her pale and unblemished face and denoted a joyful and carefree appearance.

  With both masters standing before them, Davos spoke up first. "Now, young heroes, I will be your teacher," he said, nodding his head to each of them as if they were already his students. "I will be your guide in all things history, culture, religion, politics and your place in it." Stating with a flourish of his wrists. He listed various subjects.

  The three heroes immediately reacted differently from each other. Jasmine's eyes perk up in interest, while Peter and Lucy show dejected expressions at the thought of returning to school. Before Davos could speak, to further extol the virtues of his class, Rita cut in.

  "While this geezer will teach you such important knowledge, I will be your instructor in magic and the spirits." Adding a little sarcasm to her voice and sliding her gaze to Davos, Rita smiled.