5:22 The Emperor

Xing Wu had not been dressed this well since the night he married Inesa, and a few times on their anniversary. His wife had insisted when he’d left the Four Realms, having even made it herself. She herself had woven the threads together out of light. Not the fires of the Realm Sun or the Lunar Star, but pure light that ranged every spectrum known to mortal or immortal, divine and not, and was embroidered with the silver threads from Xing Wu's own Dao Star.

It, of course, fit perfectly despite feeling too restricting for him. The only concession he’d been give was that he’d been allowed to bring his spear with him, thank the Heavens, and currently used it as a walking stick as he, the Creator, and the two first angels traversed the void.

He was certain Statera Luotian could have gotten them to this foreign universe in an instant if He wished. He was just being a bastard about it and made them walk.

"So," Xing Wu said. "What is this all about, anyways?"

"We're going to make friends," Statera Luotian said, all too cheerily.

Make friends. Xing Wu tasted the words, then looked at Fu Hao and Stilicho, the two angels just seeming pleased to once again be in direct service of the Heavens.

"And you chose me to come along with you," he deadpanned. At this, even the two angels shared a look. What was it Fu Hao had described him as? It wasn’t as simple as didn't play well with others, but had the same sort of feeling to it. Besides, he still had plenty to do back in the Four Realms beyond…this.

"Indeed I did," Statera said, laying a hand on his shoulder. Xing Wu resisted the urge to hiss at the contact, because last time they touched, he'd punched the bastard. And then they'd hugged, and that wasn't something he enjoyed thinking about.

"You, despite your thoughts, do enjoy making friends. And you're quite good at it, even if you start off a little prickly," Statera assured him. "Besides, I get the feeling you'll get along with a few of the people in the Emperor's realm." Xing Wu rolled his eyes, laid his spear across his shoulders, and continued to walk down the narrow path of blue light Statera was laying out before them to follow through the Void.

He could sense it, actually. The nothingness. The way it tried to gnaw at him. He'd heard about it from Gilles, Elvira's husband, how the Void was constantly trying to eat away at things, to return creation to nothingness. He reached a sliver of divine sense out to tickle it, and felt the Void gnawing at the sense.

There was truly nothing there.

If he didn't have a way to internally create his own Qi, if his soul was not a self-sustaining engine as designed by Statera Himself, he could see the true dangers of Void corruption, as Gilles called it. Because it would sit there and eat away at him, the more fragile parts first followed by whatever cracks formed from that. Likely pieces of his mind until he was seeking to return to nothing with the Void.

Even with his soul able to create its own energy and power, as all souls from the Four Realms could, he wondered how long he’d last against the Void’s…lack. The lack of substance. The lack of time and space and direction. If you got lost without the pinpoints that were universes to give distance and direction meaning, going mad was not just entirely reasonable, but expected even against the strongest of wills.

He could be arrogant, but he prided himself on being realistic. He’d last some time out there, but for how long?

"You're not even in the full Void," Statera said lightly, sensing his thoughts. Xing Wu looked up at Him. "This is the flux, the flow of energy between universes. So there's still a slight amount of substance here." Xing Wu let out a low whistle, activating a technique, feeling his eyes prickle as the Eyes of Heavens settled over his own and let him bear witness to some of what Statera Luotian saw.

What He said was true. There was energy and intent moving in a vast current about them, thin as paper but there. He didn't want to call it a spiderweb, close as that was, as it was more like a stream between pinpoints of towering presence. Out here, the universes didn’t seem like universes, but pillars of existence.

He let out a breath and looked back.

Names.

That's what they were.

Names.

The Heavens was behind them. A tall, vast presence. Indomitable, immovable, and not uncaring, looming in the background like the ground beneath your feet and the sky overhead that you only noticed when you truly sat down and thought about what the world was like, how big it was, how small you were in comparison.

It wasn't cruel about it, either. That was what made it scary.

Then he looked forward, away from home, and there was only one name he could use to describe that brilliant presence they were heading towards.

Emperor.

A pillar of golden flame. A bonfire of civilization, and a man sitting across from it, wearing a crown, looming ever present, drawing you in.

There were others far off in the distance as well. Farther off than his technique could see, separated by too much Void, too much nothing. He killed the technique.

"So we're headed towards an Emperor's universe," Xing Wu said.

"Indeed we are," Statera replied. "And we're almost there, actually. How did you guess the Emperor? Was that the technique you used?" As if you don’t already know. He thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes and nodding instead.

"Yeah. I imagine it's just a fragment of what you see, but it did reveal something. Takes everything in a more holistic view compared to my usual sight. And, well, weird as it may sound, it gave me names. Yours is Heavens. That guy's is Emperor. Because those are the words that best describe you."

Statera laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "That is surprisingly perceptive of you. Though I really shouldn't be surprised." And any further conversation was cut short, as the Void cleared up a little bit, and the Emperor's realm was revealed. The damn thing looked like a crown, in Xing Wu's opinion.

The universe of Heaven Above, Earth Below practically glowed with power. That which was earth below, creating the equivalent of what Xing Wu assumed was the Physical Realm, mortals, that sort of thing, was the bulk of the crown. A thin orange glow made it look like it’d been forged of bronze or copper, while peaks of gold poked up out of that mortal realm, beaming with power of all kinds. Reds and blues and greens like gems inset into the gold. The Primordial Chaos was not a shell here, like it was in the Four Realms, but a thin layer, like a transparent curtain almost.

And they were met by a wave of intent. A barrier Xing Wu had not sensed or seen cracked open like a doorway, extending the protection of the universe itself like a grand carpet rolled out to meet them and letting gods come through the opening. Fu Hao and Stilicho tensed for just a brief moment, then relaxed, because Statera was there. Xing Wu remained perfectly at ease, practically lounging as the gods shot towards them on chariots of fire.

Six of them, flanked by a cadre of angelic-like beings, their souls burning with far greater intensity. They were not gods in the way Xing Wu recognized them.

To his senses, they didn't have domains, or even cultivation bases — the latter he understood, because of his time in the One World. But the former baffled him. All gods in the Four Realms, and even in the One World, had identifiable domains.

These ones simply, to his senses, simply were gods.

"Well met, friends!" one of the approaching gods called, raising one of his four arms in greeting. He had silver skin, and gems seemed to be inlaid into his flesh, visible through the admittedly thin clothes he wore that showed off his body. Xing Wu could only assume he was supposed to be attractive to their people, but to him was simply not. They were alien, after all.

"I am Diplomat, and I have been sent to guide you to the Emperor, so that we may begin this wonderful journey together in expanding the trade and relationships between our two great universes and nations. If you would follow me. If you wish for accommodations and to rest after your journey through the greater Void, rooms shall be presented for you and your servants, my lord," the man said, bowing deeply directly to Statera.

Xing Wu felt his eye twitch. "Servants?" he hissed between his teeth. Statera Luotian chuckled, shooting him a knowing look, while Fu Hao and Stilicho annoyingly just nodded as if that was expected.

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"We are all but servants of the Heavenly Dao," Fu Hao told him, with a smile that said she knew exactly how Xing Wu would take that. He breathed in and breathed out. Let it go, he told himself. Let it go.

"We will take you up on your generous offer. I know my children are likely wanting to explore some of your wondrous nation, so if you could help me provide accommodations for that as well," Statera said, ushering them all forward and into the metaphorical arms of the “welcome wagon.”

Xing Wu grumbled to himself as they were surrounded by these angels and foreign gods that led forward through the barrier, the glowing light of energy surrounding heaven and earth clearing to reveal countless mortal worlds and planes below a sprawling heavenly realm that put even the Heaven Realm to shame.

This was perhaps the most drastic separation of the ideal between heaven and earth Xing Wu had seen, or even considered. Because as far as he could see at first glance, heaven here was a true utopia. Not a utopia built upon the backs of spirits and people and karma and maintained that way by the efforts of those who’d built it, like the Heaven Realm, but a true…paradise. A reward.

For the most part, Xing Wu ignored the diplomatic and political chatter between everyone, Fu Hao and Stilicho engaging with the angels, while Xing Wu just watched, and observed, and waited for someone to hopefully pick a fight. Because it had been a decent bit of time since he'd been presented with a problem that could only be solved with fists, even if his ears kept turning to the conversations around him.

Loathe as he was to say it, he was suddenly getting excited. Because he could sense something that had brewed in this place, that he in particular responded to.

War.

And then it was gone, leaving him frowning. Not only because he had sensed it, but because he had been excited for it. He had never been excited for war. Prepared for it, yes, but excited? Not so much. War was what took him away from his family, tore families apart. It’s what he fought to end, and as he looked out over the mountains of this heaven, he couldn’t help but scan for the source of that feeling. That thing that’d put the emotion inside of him.

"I believe," Statera piped up, catching his attention as they suddenly appeared over a massive, sprawling city, with a palace of pure gold in the very center. "I will head directly to the Emperor. You all are welcome to join me, or stay here, or head to your rooms and whatever accommodations the Emperor has provided for us," He said. Fu Hao and Stilicho chimed in their own replies, while Xing Wu considered, rolling his spear against his shoulders, feeling his muscles loose and tense, one after the other.

"I think I'll come too," he said, and met His piercing green eyes.

Statera Luotian smiled that knowing smile of His, the one that made Him look so punchable .Xing Wu scowled, because he knew what He was thinking. Xing Wu found something that interested him. Damn it, he cursed, because he had. There was another fucking Shadow war brewing here and damn if that didn’t catch his attention. This better not become my thing.

*

The Emperor cleared his courtroom the moment he felt the Heavens arrive. So he was ready when they strode through the door, flanked by his own Diplomat, a few others of his people, and two angels whose power and energy radiated in such a way that told the Emperor they were direct creations of the Heavens. Extensions of will, as much as beings with will.

The third and final companion of Statera Luotian was a man in scintillating robes of light, walking with back straight, one hand twitching as if used to holding a weapon. He'd seen the god from afar before, of course, back when he visited the Four Realms. He was the God of Stars, of freedom and trailblazing, perhaps. But he had not been one of too much interest to the Emperor before, and remained so now. No, the Emperor’s eyes were solely for the Heavens at the moment.

"My friend!" he boomed, rising from his throne, arms spread wide, cape falling about him tastefully.

The entire throne room, with all of his dukes and counts and other noble beings who had earned his favor to help rule over their own parts of the heaven and earth, fell silent as his commanding presence washed out over them. The marble halls with its pillars the size of mountains, and great painted dome ceiling above amplified his presence, the presence of an Emperor and demanded that due respect. Even from a foreign Origin. Especially from a foreign Origin.

"It is a pleasure to finally see you, and with such glad tidings. I see you sent an incarnation—" And the Emperor's words died in his throat as he looked a little closer. Statera Luotian. That man, at the moment, who stood back straight, purple robes cascading about him, hands clasped casually behind his back, horns curling above his head, and his lips twitching into a small smile. The Emperor suddenly realized, he’d been given due respect already, and nearly missed it.

"Incarnation?" Statera mused.

And the Emperor now truly laughed, dialing back his aura a little. "My apologies! You sent a true sliver of your greater self, no mere incarnation."

Statera inclined His head slightly. "It felt fitting. And respectful." The Emperor grinned wider. It seemed he had underestimated the Heavens' thoughts on the matter. He descended from his gilded throne to stand before the Heavens and his entourage, and extended a hand in greeting. Statera clasped it.

And they shook.

And this great, auspicious day was started, for they had much to talk about.

*

It was aggravating, in the Emperor's opinion, the necessity of grandeur while being an Emperor. Putting on all the pomp and airs necessary for his subjects to see and feel exactly how great of a day this was, so all felt special and appreciated and the event was brought to all his subjects not just those in the palace.

Ceremonies were being held where he and Statera’s two main bodies were stuck in that throne room, and broadcasted all across the City. Oh, how they lauded their own accolades. And to the Emperor's pleasant surprise, though it really shouldn't have been much of a surprise, Statera put on the airs of an emperor as well, to match his energy and the necessary everything. That, however, was not where the bulk of his attention was, despite where his body remained.

Two incarnations of theirs got to different matters, meeting just outside the palace itself. Below that grand golden dome building at the center of all his creation, looking out not over the city that had been built around it, but down at the earth below, where his Shadow waged war against himself, and his people. Where the mortals struggled to rise up, become everything a god or angel or holy being was, or fall into nothingness or, worse, into the Shadow.

But that too was not what they discussed. The Emperor had long since accepted that this rebel faction of his was here to stay, and in some ways was beneficial, for it created conflict for heaven to do battle with. Though he still feared the weight of it, and the future, his concerns lay mostly elsewhere at the moment.

"I will be honest," the Emperor admitted to Statera. "I expected it to take longer for you to reach out. I resolved myself to wait another few eons," he said, leaning on a railing, letting the wind blow through his golden hair. He enjoyed that small thing, as every god should.

Statera kept his green eyes fixated on the horizon, viewing everything at once and peering further beyond. "I did have some sense knocked into me by a good friend, otherwise I may have waited." he said.

"We all need some of those. I am lucky enough to have been blessed with great subordinates. Trying though they may be at times," The Emperor said, looking up as confetti drifted down from the palace above, from one of the myriad parades, and thinking about his many subordinates.

"We both are blessed with that, though I admit to my own greed and wanting more," Statera replied with a rueful chuckle.

"Is that what you wanted from this? Allies? True friendship?" the Emperor asked, perking up. He had always wondered what Statera Luotian truly wanted. It had always been a great concern for him, especially after he had all assimilated the universes of Sehuyun and the Oshun.

"Yes. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that you figured it out the moment of my arrival. It's not like I was being very cagey about it," he said. “I want allies. Peers, is a better word. People I can talk to without being…well, a parent.”

The Emperor laughed, then let his expression grow a little harder. "It is a good idea. I have already begun forging relationships with other stable universes. Shin — though stable is not always the best word for him," he said wryly, "and even Nyxteria. Though the great bird is obnoxious in its demands for things."

The Emperor shook his head, and he could feel Statera's gaze and full attention lock onto him. Despite them both being just shards of their main bodies, this was perhaps the more important conversation than anything happening above.

"Your reply was awful quick," Statera accused slowly. "You see something out there?"

"No. Not see. I do not have your gift," the Emperor said, shaking his head, even as two of his hands gripped the railing, his other four crossing themselves across his chest. "But I do have a sense for things. Potential threats to my nation, my people. Intuition, I call it, in people. Not as broad as yours, but far more specific. Tell me, have you seen or sensed any shifts in the flux from our fellow Origin Deities? Specifically since this Cocoon Protocol started?" he asked.

"You know of the Cocoon Protocol, then," Statera mused. "That is good. Let me think. I mean, everybody's changed. If I am honest, I was more worried about how they all would perceive me, and my apparent assimilation of two new universes, two of our fellows, into my own," Statera admitted freely. "But if I had to say, I will say that Shin seems bedraggled. Rising Wind, Crashing Waves, more quiet. MR-10…well, I never could get a good read on the machine beyond keeping to itself. The Progenitor I did not pay much mind. I think he wants it that way," Statera listed off.

The Emperor hummed. "Those are solid instinctual insights. We'll go over this in more detail, but I fear the Cocoon Protocol is for more than just your unusual developments." At this the Emperor shot Statera a look, who smiled a little thinly and gestured for him to continue.

"Your clustered universe, as I have come to be aware, is odd. But I am sensing other shifts. MR-10 is building something. Some great machine, I would hazard. If I'm honest, I fear what it would do if it had power equivalent to yours. The Progenitor has withdrawn and is building something as well, in its garden. Sylphina… you never can tell what that damn butterfly will do from one moment to the next. And Shin is under constant siege from his shadow. Not that he even knows what it is yet. And in the Void, I fear I can feel something else stirring.

"Think about it," he said, looking up at the sky, beyond the sky to the Void. "We were not only meant to build our universes to join the greater multiverse, but also to be able to withstand the Void with armies. I do not wish to see ghosts where there are none. But I will still seek to strengthen my borders where I can, and allies where I cannot. I truly have yet to decide whether you are an ally or not, but forging positive relationships between us can be nothing but a boon."

He felt it in the dropping of his stomach when he mentioned some of these things, and he did not know if he was focusing in the right direction, which was what worried him the most. As if he was turning away from the wrong thing.

Statera was silent, then nodded his head. "I will look into it as well, then. But for now, let us just enjoy these moments. I came here with the intention to make friends, and intend to do so if force if necessary." He joked. The Emperor chuckled along, but privately wondered if Statera understood how ominous sounding it was for someone like him to say that.

"Aye," the Emperor agreed, hiding his caution in his heart because he knew he wanted a positive relationship with this one. "Let us do that."