The Veyris Eternal Empire was peaceful.
Across endless worlds…
Civilizations continued to grow.
The Imperial Knights protected countless races.
The World Tree watched over life.
The Universe Tree connected realities together.
And inside the Imperial Palace…
Kael Veyris sat in the Grand Garden with an old friend.
Aurelion Veythar.
The two watched the endless horizon.
Aurelion smiled.
"Even after all these ages..."
"You still sit in quiet gardens."
Kael looked at the flowers around them.
"Peace is something worth enjoying."
Aurelion nodded.
"I remember when you first created your first worlds."
Kael smiled slightly.
"I was curious."
"You were bored."
Kael looked away.
"...That too."
Aurelion laughed.
"Some things never change."
Their conversation was interrupted by approaching footsteps.
Several powerful presences entered the garden.
The first was a familiar figure.
Terravex Sanguis.
An ancient warrior and one of Kael's trusted companions.
Her long, flowing pink hair moved like a river of silk.
Her glowing red eyes carried a fierce yet calm presence.
Her face held smooth, elegant features.
She wore ornate black armor covered with intricate gothic engravings.
The heavy chestplate and shoulder guards carried demonic motifs, showing her warrior heritage.
Dark bat-like wings extended behind her.
She bowed slightly.
"Kael."
Kael smiled.
"Terravex."
Aurelion looked at her armor.
"Still wearing that intimidating armor?"
Terravex smiled.
"It works."
Behind her came another presence.
Vaelithra Umbrys.
One of Kael Veyris's wives.
Her deep crimson-red hair flowed elegantly behind her.
Her vivid blood-red eyes carried a powerful aura.
Her pale skin and aristocratic beauty gave her a regal appearance.
Curving black infernal horns rose from her head.
Behind her spread massive crimson bat-like wings.
She wore an intricate black infernal gown woven from shadow-like fabric.
Dark gold patterns and crimson gemstones decorated the dress.
Elegant chains and delicate lace completed her appearance.
She smiled at Kael.
"You disappeared again."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"I was with Aurelion."
"That explains why."
Aurelion laughed.
The final figure stepped into the garden.
Draconyra.
Another of Kael's wives.
Her long light-blue cyan hair flowed gently in the wind.
Her sharp bright red eyes contained thin dark pupils.
Her elegant elf-like ears gave her a graceful appearance.
She wore a form-fitting black gown that reflected her dragon heritage.
She looked toward Kael.
"You always gather everyone without realizing it."
Kael looked around.
Only then did he notice the garden had filled with his family.
Soon after...
Veyloria Kaelthera arrived.
Her black-and-silver hair flowed behind her.
Her left eye shone with deep violet void energy.
Her right eye burned with golden-amber light.
Her dark-purple horns reflected the sunlight.
Beside her came Kaelignis and Seralyth.
Kaelignis's dark crimson-black hair and brown-red dragon horns showed her dragon blood.
Seralyth's silver-white hair and crimson-red eyes carried an elegant, ancient beauty.
Veyloria looked at Terravex.
"Are you one of Father's old friends?"
Terravex nodded.
"Yes."
"Your father and I have known each other for a very long time."
Veyloria smiled.
"Was Father always like this?"
Aurelion answered immediately.
"Yes."
Everyone looked at him.
Kael sighed.
"What do you mean?"
Aurelion smiled.
"Always protecting others."
"Always creating."
"Always carrying responsibilities he never talks about."
Vaelithra looked at Kael.
"That sounds exactly like him."
Draconyra nodded.
"Even now."
Veyloria looked at her father.
"Father..."
"Do you ever stop worrying?"
The garden became quiet.
Kael thought about it.
Then smiled.
"Sometimes."
Lilith, who had arrived quietly, immediately laughed.
"Sometimes?"
Nyx followed behind her.
"That is a generous answer."
Everyone laughed.
Even Kael.
Aurelion looked at the scene.
The ancient friend.
The wives.
The daughters.
The countless bonds Kael had created.
He smiled.
"You know..."
"The Primordial Nothingness once had nothing."
Kael looked at him.
"And now?"
Aurelion looked at the people surrounding him.
"Now it has everything that matters."
The World Tree's leaves moved gently.
The Universe Tree shimmered with countless lights.
The endless Empire continued peacefully.
And the being who existed before all things...
Found himself surrounded by the one thing he never created intentionally.
A family.