The silence after Asenane's vulnerable bow stretched long. The image of Vastarael, the monarch who had personally delivered letters to each Dynasty, who had walked among them not as a sovereign but as a normal civilian, laying comatose from an attack of the gods bruised something deep in them all.
Eldrigan Hanabas, the Dynasty Monarch of Hanabas, rose to his feet. He sighed before stepping forward.
"Vastarael Richinaria came to Hanabas weeks ago personally not through emissaries or with a convoy of honor. He arrived alone. You speak of this being a tragedy. And it is, but it is not merely yours, Lady Asenane. It is ours. All of us. You think he just invited us? No. He reminded us what it meant to be Dynasties. We are not kings and queens vying for pride but leaders responsible for the fates of entire bloodlines and races."
"And you say he's fallen because he extended that kindness, that unity?"
"Then I say this: If anyone threatens Richinaria and the man who stood before us without pride and pretense, then they threaten Hanabas too."
The crest of the Hanabas Dynasty lit up behind him. Heads turned.
From the row of seats, two stood next. Natalis and Denisia Andelaris.
"We speak not just as angels, but as those who have lived under Vastarael's trust," Natalis said gently. "He never came to Heaven not because he didn't care but because the laws that bind us are sacred. He respected them."
Denisia nodded. "He has never treated us like tools, not even once. Not even when he could have. He always spoke with us, not over us. And that is rare, considering how holy and special we are. So if Monarchess Asenane says there is war to come, and if the one who has always stood for unity now rests in silence, we rise in his place."
Holy light bathed them both as they stepped forward, wings unfurling in gentle arcs. From the Mintherian side of the palace, Veylonar Mintheris, Elyonari's elder brother and the Dynasty Monarch of Mintherus, finally rose.
"He protected my sister. Not once, not twice but throughout the entirety of the Epoch Cycle. Aeterium blood or not, he is bound to us now. Mintheris answers your call, Monarchess Asenane. It is because Monarch Vastarael earned it."
From the crimson-lit shadows of the palace edge, the sigil of Dynasty Cerea flickered with hellish grace. A figure walked forward, striking in every detail. He had obsidian armor, dark flowing hair and a cold expression. He was the Demon King of Wisterix, ruler of Ceres. He tilted his head as he looked over the others.
"I don't make speeches, but that man protected my daughter."
He motioned toward Peroncerea, who stood quietly, her hands clenched behind her back.
"She doesn't speak of many things. She rarely trusts anyone. And yet, she told me about him when she got the invitation from him. She said he shielded her and did not look at her with the judgment others give demons."
He paused.
"And I hate the Mopherian Pantheon. Sanctimonious fools hiding behind their godhood while they slaughter anything that doesn't kneel. They've been after demons for millennia. I'm sick of it. So if Monarch Vastarael Richinaria's fall was their doing, then I will lend all of Wisterix to his cause. After all, everyone agree here that if it wasn't for Richinaria's neutrality, they would have taken over the world already."
Gasps followed. Few expected the Demon King to ever support a united cause but this wasn't about politics anymore. It never was. From the shimmering dais of crystalline architecture, the Celestial Monarch of Starisnova stepped forward. With golden-white robes trailing stardust behind him, he raised a palm and spoke.
"A year ago, we of Starisnova stood on the brink. Our lands were desecrated, our people on the verge of being scattered into space-dust. And then, the Supreme Commander came."
He motioned toward Anamorsia, whose gaze didn't waver.
"She stopped the Mopherian Pantheon from erasing us. She bought us time. And when Monarch Vastarael extended that hand of unity, he reminded us that we're not alone. Let it be said here, under the canopy of this palace. Starisnova stands with Richinaria and all who defy this madness."
Thunderous murmurs grew. And then, from the dual thrones of Dynasty Skyrover and Fedres, a Monarchess and Monarch stood together. The Monarchess, broad-shouldered and fierce-eyed, nodded first.
"Therianthropes were once shunned and used as weapons, especially in other parts of the world. But since Richinaria existence, that changed. For millennia, Richinaria made hybrid births be possible, leading to the growth of mee Therianthrope types. It's thanks to Richinaria that they number in millions. Also, Dynasty Monarch Vastarael didn't force us into this meeting. When he visited, he asked with humility. So we will follow him and now, you, Lady Asenane."
The Monarch of Fedres followed.
"And he never asked us to prove our loyalty, not even once. But I'll prove it now. We will join to defeat the Mopherian Pantheon for good. They will never destroy us or what we have made for millennia."
Finally, all eyes turned to the Monarchess cloaked in red, her crimson hair flowing like wildfire. She was the ruler of Dynasty Vazakiel. She met their stares with a sigh that carried centuries of annoyance and reluctant affection.
"I suppose you're all expecting something grand. Well, no grand speech here. But the truth is, my daughter Adelasta is the Grand Duchess of Richinaria. And she doesn't belong to weak men. If Vastarael Richinaria won her heart, then I'd be a fool to oppose him. He's family now, if I like it or not. So Vazakiel's in too. Don't make me regret it."
The room was utterly transformed. A fractured hall of Dynasties had become a singular voice Asenane hadn't moved. She stood there, stunned, her hands still folded from her earlier bow. Even Adelasta looked shaken. And Anamorsia, stone-faced and rarely stirred, blinked once in disbelief.
'What the fuck? If this was all solved in less than ten minutes, then what was the point of this Dynasty Meeting?'
That was when they saw the air ripping itself. Every Dynasty Monarch and Monarchess tensed. The surge of power coming from the air ripping itself above them was not normal.
A Deity was doing this. Mopheria Pantheon was making an entrance.