Emperor's Reckoning

His figure slightly trembled as the cold shiver run down his spine. His goosebumps rose in an instant as his eyes constricted whilst looking at the ring. Only one drop of his blood and the ring would give him the key to his past life. The surging memories that were puzzling his mind ever since he set foot in this world could finally be unlocked. 

However, with the warning from his grandfather, he could only imagine the stuff behind the giant door that she had just said. If he said that his soul would collapse at the incoming surge of memories then that was probably the truth. There was no exact indicator of what would have happened if he were to open it now, but this was the first time he hesitated to try something, and he always believes in his gut most of the time.

"Then... I guess I need to cultivate more? Is that it?" asked Lyon.

"Basically, yeah that's it. However, I don't know until at which point that you will be ready to take them in. Besides..." Cecile smiled, "seeing you at this age is fun too."

Lyon smiled wryly against his wide. The cold chilling wind suddenly felt warmer as his eyes captured the beautiful smile from the tall lady. 

"You think so huh?" asked Lyon as he shook his head with a smile. 

"En, en," Cecile nodded twice, "But, don't you need to do something for someone?"

Lyon slightly furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he noticed Luna and Lumina in the distance along with their driver, Yunesia. Nobody would have ever thought the winner of the throne would be a driver one day and the thought of it made him chuckle a little. 

"Yeah, I know, it's Ayumu right?" said Lyon with a smile.

Cecile closed her eyes with her lips puckered up before nodding. 

"You know, I could really tell that she looked up to you," said Lyon.

"I know, can't let my biggest fan down now," said Cecile.

"Alright, then, but don't blame me if she took a liking and want to steal your husband later for herself," teased Lyon.

"Then she is just another underling in my eyes," said Cecile as the title of empress was etched to her soul through her words and demeanor. 

Lyon chuckled before he put his hands behind his back as he averted his gaze from Cecile and looked directly against the three women on top of a hovering bird. He knew what needed to be done before he took Cecile's hand as he hovered toward them.

Cecile smiled as she let her husband do as he pleased.

"Oh no, looks like we have been found out," said Yunesia with a sarcastic tone. It was basically impossible to hide from these two especially since there was practically nothing in the sky nor the island to cover the giant bird's figure. (They probably could pinpoint us with their instinct alone) thought Yunesia as she smiled wryly.

"Lumina, Luna..." muttered Lyon with a smile. The beautiful ladies had distinctive figures that had etched inside his mind. Especially Luna since it had felt like a lifetime since he met her. He always had a hunch that he would meet them in the competition but the chances didn't come until now. However, the 'now' was quite awkward since both Luna and Lumina finally met his wife, the one that actually had a ring on her finger.

"I have met Lumina before Lyon," answered Cecile with a chuckle.

"What?! When? How could I miss such an important event?!" said Lyon in slight distress.

"You passed out Lyon, remember? You overused the extent of your power, putting so much stress in your body until your consciousness forced you to pass out," answered Luna as she witnessed the scene firsthand.

"Ah, right, I don't remember much after that, but... *cough," Lyon made a fake cough before he reached out his hand and opened his palm toward her.

Luna's eyes were slightly opened wide before she took his hand and stepped out of the bird. With the magic brand instantly forming under her feet, she could float freely without expending her concentration and mana of the world they lived in. 

"Since Lumina has met Cecile, then it's time for you two to get to know each other, haha!" said Lyon with his futile attempt to ease the atmosphere. 

Cecile was all smiles as she looked at Luna. The auburn hair woman versus the purple hair woman was standing against each other. The former one was absurdly taller than her and almost beat the latter in every physical beauty but the latter didn't back her gaze down. Normally people would cower in fear and awe in the presence of the cold untouchable empress, but probably because of her experience with Lyon that could make her stand her ground.

Cecile was unintentionally giving out her presence to her surrounding. Just standing alone could make her enemies doubted themselves. However, despite so, she could tell from Luna's eyes that the latter was not just a noble lady that walked around on the street looking beautiful. 

"I'm Cecile, Cecile Torga," said Cecile as she brazenly took on his last name with confidence and pride mixed in. 

Luna was surprised to see her taking his last name with ease and no hesitation at all. She made an instinctive gulp as she gazed up upon her. Not a single thing that she had was better than her, she was severely beaten without doing anything. Cultivation level, looks, and even personality, the woman was a hundred leagues better than her. However, the firm hand that was holding her soothed her soul.

"I'm Luna... *gulp Luna... T-T-T-Torga."

"Eh? What did you say?" asked Lyon as his face leaned into hers. The sudden approach of his face made her blushed as her face slightly backed down. The red hue on her cheeks was cute and innocent as her hair draped on her shoulder.

Her lips slightly quivered as she looked straight against his expecting eyes. 

"Alright Lyon, stop messing with her," said Cecile as she pulled him out of her breathing range.

Cecile looked at her with a smile on her face, "Luna right? That's a really nice name, just like the moon. Hmm... are you as old as Lyon?"

"P-Pretty much, yeah," nodded Luna nervously.

"Look at you sly old monster, seducing a girl at this age, where is your shame.... though, you haven't recovered your memory yet," commented Cecile as she contradicted herself.

"Well, I don't have a say to that," said Lyon as he chuckled.

"One thing for certain though, you are too weak," said Cecile blatantly without holding the stern tone on her words as she crossed her arms.

Her soul trembled as she heard those words coming out of her mouths. She knew that she was the weakest among all. Her cultivation level was not worth mentioning in front of her. There was a time where her cultivation level was higher than Lyon's, but that time went by too fast. The skyrocketing power of his cultivation growth outshined her in less than six months. In fact, the said man had unanimously unified Deo before he could even celebrate his birthday.

"I know," answered Luna as she looked down with her hand placed on her chest. Lyon couldn't see her face very well from his angle but a smirk was present on his face.

She suddenly looked up before gazing straight against her auburn eyes with stern focus and burning will, "I know that I'm weak but so what of it, I can always train and become strong."

"The world is hunting him right now and you will inevitably be his weakness. If the enemy took hold on you, you will—"

"I know!" answered Luna as a whisk of ashen mana surrounded her. The bearing of a white tiger was slightly visible like an image from her back as its eyes glared at Cecile.

Lumina twitched her eyebrows as her eyes turned sharp looking at the scrawny Luna standing straight against the war goddess herself. Her animalistic instinct was challenged as her pupils slightly constricted into a deadly glare.

"Even so! I will not back down if this..." her eyes turned ashen as her pupils turned vertical into that of the feral beast that ran inside her vein. The bloodline in her body was boiling in the mighty presence of the war goddess.  "... holds me down, then I wouldn't be able to stand beside him when he reached the very pinnacle of everything!"

However, not a scorn was present on the face of the strongest woman in the world. It was a smirk, a smirk of pride as she crossed her arms tighter before her veins bulged.

"That is the right answer, not every woman in this world can be by his side, only those that are worthy!" shouted Cecile as she had established her status rightfully, as the wife of someone called Lyon Torga, the empress of the emperor.