Empire of Kingdoms Awakening

Chapter 2

She stood from the bed and noticed that someone had changed her clothing. She now wore a black tunic and thick pants. She walked up to the desk and ran her finger across the thick layer of dust once forgotten on the wooden surface. Particles began to swirl through the air making her feel like something was in her throat.

She picked up the book that laid center of the cluttered space, but there wasn't a speck of neglect on it. It looked new almost as if it had only been in this world for a few days. There was no title on the front. As she opened it, she found the inside of the cover said from B. Daventine, yet the pages were not filled. The sight of the name made her snap the book shut.

How did this get here?

She placed the book back onto the desk as she picked up another that had been ignored for some time. As she lifted it, you could see a thick layer of dust surrounding the area of its original space. She wiped it off and read the cover. The Downfall has Risen by Semic Hirrow.

The man in the chair cleared his throat as he stood. "Well," He interrupted as it was clear she had become infatuated with her new surroundings. "I'm not sure, but maybe they'll tell us more at the summit that is coming. As for now, we have a meeting to attend." He walked behind her as he grabbed her arm and gestured her towards the doorway. As an instinct, she pulled away.

"What's your name?" She asked with curiosity as she examined him. His dark hair was long and messy as if it hadn't had any maintenance in weeks. His nose was large but yet well suited for his face. She didn't recognize him at all. A memory of a voice from the night she returned lingered in the back of her mind.

"Samuel, as for you?" She froze for a moment to think. If he had known who she was this would not be the conversation that they would be having. He'd summon the leaders to find how she had gotten out as well as how she returned through the main channel. And if She was out as well. But, she couldn't help from wondering how the leaders didn't know she was there. They have the technology to see where everyone was. Mistakes did happen on occasion.

"Celeste!" She responded with eagerness, as she avoided looking at him again. She noticed that the walls and the floor looked aged as they appeared worn down. "Where exactly am I?" She asked as she emphasized her words. He was useless for telling her whatever was going on, but she would be more comfortable having at least some form of information. She knew in general where she was, but had never been here in particular.

He raised his left arm, signaling around the room. "This is your home." He released a subtle smile while he spoke. "Only one of the members didn't make it, and then you showed up. You weren't exactly in the best state of mind when you were brought to us..." He trailed off into the memory. "They did verify that you were the missing member." He gave her a slight smile that exposed his right dimple.

He began to make his way out through the door. "There is more that we need to sort through, which is why I came to you before the meeting. I had started to lose hope you'd ever wake up. We're late, but I figured to try giving you some extra time. Be a shame for us to start working on things and you to awake confused. Everyone will be glad to see you. It means less for us to discuss... even though it will still be quite some time."

At the exit of the bedroom, they entered the foyer. To the left of her and straight down the narrow hallway were 6 doors, and to the right of her, there was a staircase leading down into a lobby. "Because I am not already confused?" She responded. He released a small chuckle in which she returned.

As they made their way down, other people inside seem to look at them and nodded in approval. Some faces seemed familiar to her, but it couldn't be. They exited the building and stepped outside into a courtyard surrounded by a stone wall that circled them. It crawled with men and women wearing breastplates and gambesons. "I don't understand what's happening." She said to him as she looked around and examined everything.