The golden gates of the Aetherion Primordial Empire's border flickered with ancient runes as Noah's sleek black ship glided through.
To the untrained eye, it was just another noble vessel returning from the void. But for the guards stationed at the gate, this was no ordinary arrival.
One guard, a man named Harlen with sharp, predatory eyes, watched his scanner intensely. As the ship's identification code pinged against the imperial database, his breath hitched.
He quickly stepped into a private communication booth, his hands trembling slightly as he keyed in a restricted frequency.
"Sir, it's done," Harlen whispered, his voice thick with urgency. "Just now, someone with the Sorus family seal entered through the gate. He is claiming to be the heir of the Count."
On the other side of the transmission, there was a long, heavy silence.
When the response finally came, it was a voice like cracking ice, smooth, cold, and utterly devoid of mercy.
