"We've been expecting you."

Excellently groomed, short-cropped gray hair, and a shave close enough for a business-like 5 o'clock shadow. He wore a fitted black two-piece suit freshly ironed with not a single wrinkle. A deep royal purple tie was the only splash of color. A silver timepiece wrapped around his right wrist. A thin silver circlet wrapped around his head. One of the [Emperor]'s dress shoes tapped the marble floor in metronome. The only sound in the vast room.

Krom held his breath. The air felt thin as he struggled not to choke on the pressure. Then, magically, he could breathe again. It took remembering his mother's tyrannical stare to prevent himself from breathing out in relief.

As an expert at reading the most subtle gestures and facial expressions, he was easily read that the majority of people in the room were not happy to see them. The Emperor seemed particularly irked.

Dressed as a beggar, Reiss seemed calm as a fish in the sea. Krom read the way Reiss' eyes softened, showing his responsibility for removing the invisible pressure. Like-wise, as evidenced by the way Reiss leaned ever so slightly to his right, Krom was supposed to stay behind him. Krom managed a small smile remembering the difficulties of living with his near-mute parents. They always communicated in glares or grunts.

"I am pleased you decided to wear my gift. A novelty, is it not? Was there any difficulty with the tie? I left instructions."

Krom's burly eyebrows didn't diminish his vision. He saw the [Emperor]'s eyebrow twitch... along with the hand of the archer.

Reiss' gaze moved over the guards as if they weren't there. When he got to those standing near the steps, he took his time examining each one. Krom didn't have the time to analyze each microexpression and compare it with each individual.

Noting with abject horror that most of the soldiers were glaring daggers at him instead of Reiss, Krom's stubby fingers rubbed at the red stains attached to his overalls.

"My advisors deemed your gift non-harmful. It is off-putting how well it fits. Did you measure me in my sleep?"

Reiss chuckled, thumbs in his pockets. The air around him was light and warm.

"Of course not. No one can reach you when you sleep, not even me."

Krom saw the [Royal Bulwark] shift her feet while the quartet on the highest steps exchange glances. Before anyone could interject, Reiss started walking.

The arrow was caught before it reached Reiss' heart.

A shuffle of metal and every sword in the room was drawn. The two in golden armor at the end drew greatswords. The [Royal Bulwark] slammed her shield down, appearing ever larger than it actually was. Electricity crackled around the short-plump man as he took a fencer's stance. Another arrow was already knocked.

The only ones unfazed were the Emperor and the four at the top. Reiss examined the arrow, oblivious to every weapon pointed directly at him. His finger drew blood as he rubbed it against the pointed edge. Reiss sucked his thumb and then threw aside the arrow. It bounced and clattered on the marble floor.

"That was rude, Cray. I am unarmed."

"No. You're not."

"Technically, I'm not. But I'll leave that be."

A pause. Reiss bowed elegantly.

"Your Eminence, it is good to see you in good health. This humble citizen would request an audience. Perhaps without the fodder?"

Cray's bowstring tightened. Reiss continued.

"If I am a match for your Champions, having the royal guard here is redundant. If things went sideways, which they won't, they would just become needless casualties between a clash of the highest leveled individuals this Empire has to offer."

One of the female advisors approached the throne, whispering. Krom didn't miss the way Reiss' legs flexing. The [Emperor] noded.

"Guards, disperse."

"Actually, your eminence, I suggest Captain Lionel and Captain Marcine both stay. Things will progress more smoothly that way. Assign the Sub-Captains to watch over things in their absence."

"You dare interrupt his eminence!"

"Chill, Charles, I am sure his eminence has no issues with my proposal."

Charles, one of the advisors, spluttered momentarily. The [Emperor] waved his hand.

"It's fine, Charlemont. It doesn't change anything. Sub-Captains, take your leave."

"Sir."

A stomp of boots and clanging metal as all the guards saluted. They sheathed their weapons and marched out of the room through hidden doorways melded into the smooth walls. By the time they all filed out, the doors closed, removing any sign either existed.

Krom noted that those left in the throne room were only those near the stairs. Champions of the Empire and the highest leveled individuals. They all lowered their weapons or put them aside, but none of them were sheathed. Krom assumed the advisors weren't defenseless either.

When Reiss started walking forward without interruption, Krom debated staying put, but decided he was safer standing next to someone who could catch an arrow from a [Peerless Sniper].

Their footsteps were out of synch. Krom was trying to sneak his way across the room like he was traversing squeaky floorboards outside his father's study.

They came to a stop 10 meters from the steps. [Royal Guard Captains] Marcine and Lionel blocked their path up the stairs. Cray retreated up the steps along with the plump wizard. The [Royal Bulwark] stood her ground, unblinking.

"It has been a long time, your eminence. Unfortunately, 'this one' must beg for forgiveness, for I have failed yet again."

"You speak as if we have met before."

Krom saw the grimace Reiss hid behind his eyes.

"I suppose we haven't... have we?"

"Why have you come?"

Reiss exhaled softly.

"Because of your dreams, William, because of your dreams."

The Emperor, William, rose from his seat. He silenced his advisors and glared holes into Reiss.

"What do you know?"

Reiss took a knee. Seeing this, Krom followed suit.

"The enemy is already here. There is a traitor in this room."

=

"There is no traitor. If anyone harbors ill towards the throne and the Empire, it is you. The transgressor who bypassed the Palace wards!"

Charlemont pointed a finger. Reiss ignored him and spoke directly to the [Emperor].

"You have seen me in your dreams, William because I am the answer. I hold the key to solving all your problems."

"Arrogance! A bit of space magic does not make you special."

"Charlemont. Silence."

Charles' aged face grimaced as he backed down.

"If you have answers, then answer. What do you know?"

"Everything."

"Ar-"

"Silence."

Charles paled as he was scolded for the second time. The others present looked at Charlemont with either pity, exasperation, or anger.

"I'll be more specific then. What do you know about my dreams?"

"I know you dream of darkness, your eminence. Of beings crawling out of the darkness, marching, flying... attacking. You have seen your Empire fall. You despair already, planning fruitlessly without the full picture."

Krom dared a glance up and saw the dark circles ringing the [Emperor]'s eyes. Most of the world knew he wasn't just an [Emperor]. William Trailvon was the [Emperor of Dreams]. His prophecies and visions were what led his Empire to prosperity and decades of peace. No one knew the details of the dreams or how many he had, only that he could predict the future. No one dared challenge him.

Yet...

"How many?"

William breathed.

"Nine. Ten, if you count the Empire."

"What are their numbers?"

Reiss frowned.

"Near a Trillion in total."

The Captain Lionel interjected.

"Trillion?"

By the confusion, the others didn't know the number either. So Reiss counted.

"One, Ten, Hundred, Thousand, Ten Thousand, One Hundred Thousand... A million."

The rest were following along. A million people numbered a large Kingdom.

"Ten million. One Hundred Million."

Roughly the population of the continent, counting non-humans.

"A billion."

A number theorized if the population increased.

"Ten Billion.

Captain Lionel shuffled his feet, not liking where this was going. The Emperor had already drained of color.

"A Hundred Billion."

An inconceivable amount. Reiss opened his mouth to speak the last, but William beat him to it. Solemn words.

"...A Trillion."

Reiss nodded gravely as William collapsed into his seat. The others were confused as to what they were counting, but a "trillion" of anything could be cataclysmic. If it is a count of enemies...

"Your eminence..."

The Emperor was non-responsive as he held his face in one hand, barely supporting himself.

"William."

A stir on the throne.

"Nothing has changed. They still come, and I still hold the answers. Let us retire and discuss options."

William licked his lips before he could articulate his next words. When they came, they passed through a dry throat.

"I will need to explain."

"Leave it to me. I will take up the role as I have performed it before. But first, we need to dispense with the traitor."