Acedic Autocrats

Chapter 4

September 20th, 2153.

"Just a little longer Herrin," I said encouragingly. "I understand you're tired but we're almost there." It'd been a month since I visited Featris Mei Templum and was about to see him. Admittedly I was feeling more nervous than I should've been but how could I not.

Though the two of us had spoken many times after he'd retired, the large majority of those times was through his statue. As for Nepos Et Nepotem Meum it's the same situation except for one key difference. At the time, their retirements were more recent compared to Frater Meus, with Imperator Azur's only being a mere three years prior to my visit, so I wasn't as nervous about seeing them again.

I wonder how he's fairing I asked myself. Hmph, some brother I am, I didn't even ask him. That was another caveat regarding my visits, though some of them were just to catch up but again most of them were used to discuss and to ask for advice when the realm was in danger.

In fact, during one of my visits I wasn't alone. On the 16th of Maius 2105, Nepotem Meus, Imperator Azur I accompanied me to seek council from Avo Suo regarding Pater Eius' negligence of the realm. At first, he didn't want to believe Fillius Eius could be so irresponsible but after several minutes he proposed that we focus on the smaller issues first before moving on to the larger ones.

Five years later when the time came for his ascension, we followed his instructions. After recovering the empire's finances, we turned our attention to the larger problems plaguing the four Regnums. So, in an indirect way Fratres Meus was responsible for the Council of Crown's creation all those years ago.

Anyway, ten minutes later, after a long flight I finally arrived at Mount Olympos where I was greeted by Propinqui Mei. "Fratres Meus!" Gromeo exclaimed, tapping me from behind. "So good to see you after all this time." I turned around and smiled warmly as he and Posterisque Eius greeted me.

"Good to see you Avunculus!" Gromeo exclaimed. It was then I had just realized that there were two Imperator Gromeos living on Olympos, and I could no longer call them by praenoman lest my mind explode from confusion. So, I came up with an unorthodox solution.

"Ahh, Grimus, Grecundo, how're you!?" I figured if I attempted to blend with their names with their regnal number then I wouldn't become too confused. Thankfully, they understood my strategy and continued with the conversation.

"Let's get you settled in," Frates Meus remarked. "Avunculus Hyperion is waiting." "Avunculus Hyperion?" I asked. "Yes, several days before you visited me in my Templum, he told me that the empire was in trouble and afterwards he suggested that you stay for the evening so the five of us can discuss it further."

"Alright, but where is Azurus?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "At our palace," Fratres Meus answered. "I thought I already explained that he's being punished for his naivety though it actually ends at sunset today." "I see." "And what of you Grecundus?" I asked turning to Nepos Meus. "I was punished too," he answered. "But it was for a different reason as I'm sure you already know."

I nodded in agreement and turned to Gryphem Amicus Meus who immediately understood my order and flew back to the palace. As soon as he was out of sight, I returned my gaze to Propinqui Mei as they guided me to their heavenly palace.

It wasn't a long walk from the entrance. Unlike in the empire, the palaces on Olympos were rather close together. Of course, that wasn't a complete suprise since Olympos was only for those who obtained divine status whilst the Hyprrion Empire was created for all of Avunculus Hyperion's creations.

The layout of the Mountain was based on each deities' role. Shortly after the four Regnums and wolf packs, Titanfather Meus gave each of his four sets of triplets control over each Regnum to maintain balance in the empire, and when the wolf packs of old went against their nature, they were each assigned the task of choosing a descendant of each pack to rebuild them which was what led Famillia Meus down our current path.

"Ahh, Kurin," a familiar voice called out as we entered the palace. "I hope your trip wasn't too much of a hassle." The familiar voice belonged to my Avunculus Hyperion who'd come to greet me upon my arrival. "Gratias Tibi, Avunculus," I said respectfully. "The trip went well though there was a bit of turbulence as Herrin flew up the mountain."

"That's to be expected," he said with a smile. "But let's not dwell on that now. I believe you had something you wished to discuss with us?" "Yes." I answered. "It's concerning the state of the empire and what I believed caused it." "Let's discuss it over dinner," he said as a servant came to escort me to where I could wash up before the meal. I wished Titanfather Meus good evening and embraced Fratres Et Nepos Meus before following the servant.

"WHAT!" Fratres Meus shouted. "What do you mean you saw Nos Biologicum Parentes?" "I'm not completely sure myself," I admitted. "But it's the best explanation I'd come to with the limited information I have." Titanfather Meus paused for a moment to think before opening his mouth to speak once more.

"I'm sorry you three had to find out this way, I'd hoped to one day share this with you when the time was right." "It's alright Avunculus," Imperator Grecundo said reassuringly. "We understand you were simply trying to protect us." Fratres Meus turned his attention to Fillius Eius and asked. "You knew? but how?"

"There're many a legend regarding their fate these days," Imperator Grecundo answered Pater Eius. "I never believed any of them of course until I found some old text on the topic." I was rather confused as to what he meant but decided to just listen.

Nepos Meus then turned his gaze to me and said he'd explain at a later date but for now we needed more information so as to be absolutely certain. Avunculus Hyperion discussed his plan with us for the rest of the evening, and by the next morning, I returned to the palace to carry out his orders.