(Within the Time-Stilled World, Leo’s Private Mansion, Leo’s POV)

After his aura had begun to grow unstable nearly a decade ago, Leo had left Skyshard City and moved to a secluded corner of the Time-Stilled World so as to not be a threat to the civilian population around him.

His residence was simple: a single-room dwelling with an adjoining training arena, devoid of attendants, guards, or luxuries.

Situated almost two hundred miles from the city’s edge, his isolation was not born of preference but of necessity.

Ever since he began walking the path of the Emperor, his aura had become something the world itself resisted.

A moment’s lapse in control could shatter glass, crack walls, or extinguish life without intent.

And hence only a handful were ever permitted near him, and even they came solely when summoned.

The situation had become so worse, that even tainted beasts local to the land that were usually drawn in by the aura of strong opponents, now instinctively avoided him like he was the plague, as even their beastly primal instincts told them to steer clear of the threat that was Leo Skyshard.

Hence, as Leo heard an approaching vehicle come towards his mansion unscheduled, he was surprised by the development at first, only to then realise it must be something important, when he heard Chaosbringer walking in his usual stride.

*Knock*

*Knock*

"Come in, Chaosbringer."

Leo said in a voice that was calm, low, and commanding, as it carried across the room strongly even though it was spoken barely above a whisper.

Chaosbringer froze for a moment at the threshold, his hand still raised mid-air, realizing that Leo had recognized him merely from the sound of his footsteps.

’The Lord has made improvements as a warrior yet again...’

He thought as he took in a deep breath to steady himself, before pushing the door open and stepping inside.

*Cough*

The air in the room was thick, heavy, almost alive with restrained energy, as Chaosbringer involuntarily coughed when he took in the thick air.

Leo sat across him, seated upon a throne like chair carved from black steel and inlaid with silver runes that contained an aura suppressing enchantment, meant to keep his presence under control.

His eyes were covered by a simple blindfold of black silk, tied loosely around his head, while his posture was perfectly still—his hands resting on the armrests, his legs crossed, his aura sealed within the fragile boundary of willpower alone.

Chaosbringer had seen him countless times before on battlefields, in annual meetings, even in the aftermath of wars but tonight, he was different.

Tonight he looked regal. Sovereign.

As the quiet majesty of an Emperor radiated from him now, subtle yet absolute, as though the heavens themselves acknowledged his right to rule.

His face had not aged a day, and yet it carried the maturity of centuries, the kind of expression that no youth could wear.

"Speak," Leo said softly, his voice cutting through the charged silence like the edge of a blade.

"My Lord," Chaosbringer began, his throat tightening as he felt the faint vibration of suppressed energy prickling across his skin. "There has been a... development. I’m afraid you will have to take off your blindfold and see it for yourself."

Leo tilted his head slightly. "I could hear the enemy ships entering our atmosphere earlier, but I sensed Dumpy was handling it. I assumed the matter was beneath my attention. Yet since those ships fell, I have sensed anger.... strong, collective, almost uncontrollable, rising through the city.

It feels as though the blood of every man and woman in Skyshard City burns in unison. But I do not understand why."

He turned slightly toward Chaosbringer, though the blindfold still hid his eyes. "Tell me, old friend. What have they done?"

Chaosbringer’s hands trembled. He took a deep breath, his voice almost breaking as he replied, "My Lord, it would be best if you saw it yourself."

Leo’s fingers brushed against the edge of the blindfold.

"Very well."

He pulled the cloth free.

Yet, the moment his eyes opened, the world reacted.

*Whummm*

The air warped. The floor vibrated. The faint candlelight flickered wildly, as an invisible force rippled outward like shockwaves on water.

*Crack!*

A glass vase near the far wall shattered, the shards turning into fine dust mid-air.

Chaosbringer gasped as his knees buckled under the pressure, his lungs constricting as if an invisible hand had gripped his throat.

*Choke*

He coughed violently, blood flecking his lip as he fell to both knees, the sheer intensity of Leo’s aura washing over him in waves of oppressive gravity.

Leo sighed, his expression calm but faintly regretful.

"I apologize, old friend. Ever since I began to walk this path, my strength has grown faster than my control. Even now, I restrain it as much as I can... yet some of it leaks. And when it leaks, it hurts those I do not wish to harm."

He closed his eyes for a moment, the blindfold still clutched loosely in one hand as Chaosbringer shook his head vehemently despite the weight pressing on his body.

"No, my Lord... to feel your aura is an honor in itself. You owe me no apology."

He said as Leo gave a faint smile that was small, fleeting, and solemn.

"Stand, then," he commanded quietly, as Chaosbringer obeyed, unsteady but determined, as he stepped forward with the holographic projector held tightly in both hands.

"My Lord, this recording... it was dropped by the Righteous Faction’s fleet before being annihilated. It contains footage of the Dragon, Aegon Veyr. He has been captured... and they are using him to provoke us."

For a heartbeat, the silence between them deepened.

Leo’s expression did not change, yet the faint pulse of his aura shifted from calm to dangerous. The air grew colder, the light dimmer, the shadows around the room deepening until the windows themselves began to rattle. Outside, a distant wind began to stir, howling faintly through the mountain pass as though nature itself recoiled.

"I see," Leo said finally, his tone so quiet that Chaosbringer almost wished he hadn’t spoken at all.

He looked down at the device, his hand hovering above it, then turned his gaze back toward Chaosbringer.

"If it contains such sensitive content, I feel like it will be best if I see it alone, old friend. You do not want to be near me when I open it."

Leo suggested, as Chaosbringer bowed low, relief flashing briefly across his weary features.

"As you command, my Lord."

He said before turning sharply, as he moved towards the exit with quick but respectful steps.

Yet just as he reached the doorway, Leo’s voice stopped him once more.

"Chaosbringer."

Leo said, as he froze and turned.

"Do you have any final requests for me, my Lord?" he asked softly, as Leo thought for a moment before replying.

"Send Leonardo to me when you can. Tell him his uncle wishes to speak with him."

Leo instructed, as Chaosbringer bowed and nodded deeply.

"I will do so, at once."

He said before leaving the chamber with careful, measured steps, as he closed the massive door behind him.

The moment he was outside, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His chest rose and fell as he hurried down the corridor, every instinct screaming for him to put as much distance as possible between himself and the mansion.

"Ride like the wind," he told the driver of his hovercraft as he climbed aboard. "Now. As far from here as possible."

The driver glanced at him nervously but did not question the order, as the craft lifted from the ground and shot off into the horizon, slicing through the misty air.

Behind them, in that silent mansion upon the cliff, the windows trembled. The wind gathered strength, howling through the valley like the cry of an unseen beast.

And within the throne room, Leo sat alone, the holographic tape resting in his palm, its faint blue light reflecting across his face.

He waited until he could no longer sense a single living soul within miles of his aura.

Only then did he dare pour his aura into the device, as the play button flickered to life.

"Veyr my cousin..... I told you to come with me...."

He muttered as he pressed play, the holographic video message flaring to life.