A warm summer breeze blew from the south, rustling the leaves of the cherry trees that lined the sides of the pathway. They were in full spectacular bloom, so pink petals were torn from branches and sent fluttering through the air, giving off an invigorating floral scent.

The perfectly straight pathway lined by the cherry trees ended at the doors of a massive palace complex. There was nothing else but greenery in sight. The resplendent gardens that surrounded the palace and the road that led to it went on for miles, a wonderland of bountiful growing greens and colorful flowers. Only a few lowkey servants could be seen in the gardens as they fulfilled their duties.

The palace itself was massive, larger than some small cities. It was all a startling and vivid combination of gold and crimson, and it practically glowed in the light of the sun. With its angular roofs and soaring towers, the entire palace resembled a roaring flame.

However, despite its magnificence, this complex was only one of many grand wonders that dotted the exalted world upon which it had been built. The entire surface of the world was covered in flourishing golden cities and sprawling gardens. Even the vast wildlands that remained were carefully managed and more like parks than true wilderness. Incredibly tall crystal towers pierced the clouds in many places, and these Heaven and Earth Arrays shone with a many-colored aura as they controlled all the ki of the world, managing its connection to the Eternal Plane.

This was Capitar, the homeworld of the Heavenly Empire and the birthplace of the Archon, the shepherd of mankind. From here, a thousand other worlds were ruled, and to many, it was as close to a paradise as could be found under the Endless Heavens. Every person that called this world home was truly blessed, living a life of luxury under the full protection of the Empire’s endless legions and uncountable immortal warriors. It was said that not a single person was allowed to grow hungry or cold upon all of Capitar.

Still, the gold and crimson complex had a special significance, even upon the Heavenly Empire’s capital world. It was the Palace of the Eternal Flame and within it dwelled the chief oracle of the Heavenly Empire.

Deep within the palace, a man in black who wore a stern iron mask walked alone and proud. Passing by a cluster of golden guards carrying spears, he entered a large hall filled with hanging tapestries. Among the tapestries were a thousand handmaidens mediating in silent contemplation upon soft cushions. Each one was a stunningly beautiful young woman. Although their clothing was somewhat conservative, it didn’t hide their slim figures and attractive curves.

The atmosphere was serene and restful, but the arrival of the man sent ripples of disturbance through the chamber. Handmaidens flinched and cast quick startled looks toward the masked man walking through their midsts. Clearly, they were startled by his arrival.

He didn’t care.

Without sparing them a single look, the black robed figure continued on to the magnificent golden doors at the far end of the room.

The massive double doors were covered in carvings of firebirds soaring among clouds. The wood looked incredibly thick and sturdy, a barrier few creatures in existence could force. But in front of the black clad man’s march they immediately opened. Thus, he was able to simply walk through them and into the chamber beyond without slowing.

This chamber was perfectly circular and two hundred feet across. Its walls were pure white marble while its ceiling was an impressive golden dome. More red tapestries hung from the walls, covered in golden flame patterns. In the center of the room was an island surrounded by a ring-shaped pond that could only be reached by a single bridge, and a rainbow of many-colored lilies floated on the water.

The man in black headed for the bridge to the island. There, an old woman with long white hair sat before a pit in the floor. She was regal in long red robes, and in the pit burned a golden flame. Its heat radiated throughout the room, leaving an impression of constrained strength and everlasting intensity.

The heat wasn’t nearly intense enough to harm the man in black, but he stopped at the end of the bridge and took not a single step onto the island. Instead, he bowed deeply toward the old woman. “Divine Oracle, you summoned an agent of the Archon’s Inquisition. I am here.”

The old woman opened her eyes, revealing milky white unseeing orbs. However, her voice was strong and commanding, without a sign of infirmity.

“By the grace of the heavens, God, and the Archon, I have been blessed with a vision of the future by one of the saints. It was a warning and a divine command. Soon, a great enemy of the empire will appear upon a newly conquered world. Master inquisitor, this threat must be stamped out before it has a chance to grow or it will throw the heavens and the empire into chaos.”

Behind his mask, the inquisitor stiffened. A command directly from a saint! Such things were incredibly rare. The saints were peerless cultivators of the empire who had ascended to godhood and now stood directly under the Archon. The court of saints dwelled in the Eternal City, a realm within the eternal plane that rarely directly intervened in mortal affairs.

“I can but leap to obey, great Oracle! Upon what world does this vile menace lay? I shall immediately send forth a full force of my most loyal and ruthless inquisitors.”

The old woman nodded. “The world is known as Evera, and you must be very certain of this cursed being’s destruction.”

The master inquisitor’s thoughts raced. He recognized that name. It was an inconsequential rock, but hadn’t a newly risen princess been sent there as part of her imperial tour? Did this threat have something to do with her?

“Have no fear. For the Archon and the empire, I will raze cities and burn the heavens if necessary! The saint’s commands shall be done, no matter the cost.”

“Very well then, let me share the words of the divine revelation with you,” the oracle responded gravelly.