The Eternal Imperium

Chapter 16: The Difference between a Tyrant and an Emperor

Weiss walked alongside Kreel through the metallic hallways of the Eternal Imperium's flagship—the Weeping Willow.

Weiss: "Father, are you sure this is necessary? I'm certain Winter should be more than capable of handling something like this."

Kreel: "Are you scared, Daughter?"

Weiss: "Not at all. It's just...I'd rather train some more to properly utilize my full powers without fear of losing control."

A set of metal doors open as they enter the bridge to the massive ship. Windows allows a full view of the armada that encircled the Weeping Willow. The full might of the Imperium was brought to bear against anyone who would dare to attack the flagship.

Kreel: "True training comes from field experience. Your sister and brother both recognize this fact. That is why they hold such a high ranking. Now, you hold equal rank only because you are the heir to the Imperium. To rectify this, you must become well adept in both leading from the rear and also from the front." Weiss nodded as she stood next to her father.

Captain: "Emperor. The fleet is ready to head to the coordinates you transmitted. You need only say the word."

Kreel nods as the flagship begins to move through the air. The smaller ships move to the flank and escort the Emperor's vessel.

The armada was massive. Making up almost half of the entire Eternal Imperium's air superiority. The only ship that could even come close to the magnitude that was the Weeping Willow was Winter's own flagship, The Ice VII.

Kreel: "Besides Weiss, your sister has other pressing matters to attend to. It seems that the recent disturbances in the newly acquired Vacuo have garnered her attention. So much so that she has enlisted the assistance of Whitely as well."

Weiss: "Why have I not been made aware of this? I was left to ensure the security of the city of Vacuo. I should at least be kept in the loop of the goings-on there."

Kreel: "Beware, daughter. You may be next in line, but you still answer to me." Weiss seemed to quiet herself. "In truth, the disturbance is much more serious than realized. It seems that all communications have been cut between the entire city and the rest of the Imperium. But that problem is best left to your siblings. For us, we have grander prizes ahead of us. Captain?"

Captain: "Based on our trajectory, we should arrive at our destination in approximately two days, my Emperor."

Kreel: "Very good. Keep me informed of any changes that may hasten or delay our scheduled arrival. Weiss, I believe it is time I tell you our mission. Follow".

Weiss once again follows behind Kreel as they are escorted through the halls by Kreel's personal guard.

Kreel: "Tell me. Do you know of the Resistance?"

Weiss: "There's a resistance?"

Kreel: "Indeed. Huntsmen and Huntresses banded together with the common goal of seeing vengeance done for our expansion. They fear the coming change and have taken to violence."

Weiss: "Are we headed to destroy their headquarters?"

Kreel: "No. But I don't doubt that on our mission today, we will encounter them."

Weiss: "And what is our mission?" The two enter into a small personal chamber, fitted with all the standard bedroom furnishings.

Kreel: "Before that, tell me. How does one lead a nation?"

Weiss: "Uh...completely? With a firm grip. Allow no form of weakness."

Kreel: "Hmm. You have much to learn. No. To rule a nation, you must first make the people believe you are their best choice to keep them alive. Allow me to explain: if you deprive individuals of a choice, then they will resent you for taking their freedoms away, even if the choice you made for them was the right choice to keep them safe. To rule effectively, you must trick your subjects into believing the choices you made for them were choices they made for themselves."

Weiss: "So, you lie to them?"

Kreel: "Weiss, the world is governed by half-truths and lies. Think of Ozpin and Salem. Their war was fought under the noses of the entire world for decades. Entire generations of people were shaped by the lie the two perpetuated. If you are to be my successor, you must see that to keep your people safe and content. They must be blind and ignorant to what truly transpires."

Weiss: "I think...I think I get it now. Is that why you left Menagerie untouched."

Kreel: "Precisely. Leaving the Faunus nation untouched provided me with more benefits than simply taking over the island. With the island left alone, the Faunus within our borders believe I care for their people and show this by allowing their own nation to remain free. Second, with the uncontrolled territory, the Huntsmen who choose to oppose me have a base of operations that they believe is out of my reach. How wrong they are. And finally, fully dominating the world will portray me as a conquer bent on world domination, but by leaving the island alone. I can have the people believe I intended to unite the once-separate kingdoms under one unified banner. Giving us a larger force to combat the Grimm."

Weiss: "You planned it all out. Amazing."

Kreel: "When walking the path of ambition, you have to plan every step you take and every consequence of those steps. Now, what was I planning to speak of."

Weiss: "The mission?"

Kreel: "The mission! Yes, of course. Apologies, it has been some time since I got to talk about my motivations to someone who understands. Believe me, while spending my days enjoying your mother's company. There's only so much...ehem, "advances" I can take."

Weiss: "Ew." Kreel couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's childishness.

Kreel: "The mission. For some time now, I have had an agent within this so-called "Resistance" feeding information directly to me. The newest batch of information was none other than the location of the Sword of Destruction. Our destination is precisely where the sword is located."

Weiss: "How do we know this isn't a trap by the Resistance?"

Kreel: "We don't. But they also don't know that no matter what they try. It won't amount to much. Besides, do you think I would've taken you with me if I didn't ensure we were both under the best protection?" He gestured to the two guards who stood at the door to the room.

Weiss: "No offense, father, but I've never seen either of those two fight or at the least utilize their weapons. You really think they're that powerful?"

Kreel: "I don't believe so, Weiss. I know so. Now, let us wait."

Thousands of Miles Away, City of Vacuo

The Midnight moon hangs overhead, blanketing the city in an eerie glow of pale white light. Even as the night has settled in, the city's people are still as active as if the sun was out. The city of Vacuo, in such a short amount of time, had become like all the rest of the major cities within the Imperium. A metropolis. Active at all times and devoid of any sense of concern for the time of day.

Outside the main city gates, Imperium soldiers stand vanguard, ready to face any threat attempting to breach the city.

The guards take formation as they spot a lone figure walking toward them. His pitch-black cloak flaps in the wind as underneath lies the stark white uniform similar to their own. From his hands, a pure white and blue light streams like waterfalls, but they instead float up into the sky.

Yhwach: "Auswählen"