Shanjia, three years after the failed invasion of Nova. There, in his meditation room, adjacent to the royal apartments, Togami, King-Consort of Shanjia and Lumen, read tirelessly over ancient scrolls of lumen magic and rituals at his desk. The late night darkness parted by small swirls of light which he brought forth. Beside the magical scrolls were recent reports from his generals concerning the city-states that were still in states of either internal strife or rebellion.

The defeat at sea had not been without its consequences. Nor was their kings desire for revenge. The treasury was stretched thin, and the economic losses of the failed invasion, and the attempts at creating a new and stronger army, had put the city-states of Shanjia on difficult times. Commoners and nobles alike had grown restless. Either due to increased taxes, or seeing the defeat at Nova as a sign that the King-Consort, and always long rumored to be the true power of Shanjia was weakening. A sign no few nobles and ministers who had long detested the musician made king took by the horns immediately.

'I will deal with those traitors in time. If this spell is correct, I will have the army I need to reestablish order in Shanjia, and take revenge on that fool child!' Togami thought as he poured over the workings of the spell.

It would not be easy. Even as skilled as he was it would be a difficult spell. Perhaps dangerous, but Togami was not one to give up due to danger or impossibilities. If he did, he never would have become king of Shanjia.

"Togami dear. Are you still awake?" A voice said softly.

Togami turned to see his wife, the beautiful queen Junko of Shanjia. The queen was garbed in a black velvet nightgown, made from the finest silks.

"My apologizes my dear wife. I suppose I lost track of the time reading these reports." Togami said, placing a hand on the stack of military reports. They had been the first things he had read. What good was exacting revenge if his empire collapsed around him.

Junko smiled softly, "Do not let the rebellious make you fear my dear. You have faced greater challenges and succeeded. These are but flies in your path."

Togami smiled and stood up. Though he would rather read more on the scroll, he felt confident it would be the catalyst to his goals. But for that he would need concentration, and he could not have that if his wife grew worried and pestered him. And so he put aside the scroll and picked up the candle and walked over to his wife.

"Come my love. Let me dash aside your worries this night." Togami said with a smile, wrapping his free arm around the waist of his wife and pulled her close to him.

Junko smiled, "That would be most comforting indeed." And with that she softly blew out the candle light.

The next morning, Togami gave instructions to his generals to see to the repression of civil unrest, as well as gather information on troop movements and recruitment results. After he consulted his advisers on subjects ranging from taxation to the treasuries current standing.

In all it was a headache to deal with, as had all the previous days since he had returned from the failed invasion of Nova. But soon all those problems would be sorted out. For after he had saw to the daily chores that came with running an empire he began preparations to commence the ritual that would summon him forth an army that would replace the one he lost. No, not replace but surpass.

Once all the necessary steps and symbols had been placed, Togami stood at the center of a large circle inscribed with various ritual markings. A wide field not far from the capitol was to be the area the summoning would take place in. It would be foolish to attempt such dangerous magic so close to home. And if it succeeded he would need the large space to provide his summoned army with plenty of room to appear.

Outside of the area of any mishaps should the spell go wrong, stood his loyal bodyguard. Each soldier had a feeling of unease about him. Their king was about to be placed in great danger, even if it was at his own accord, and they knew that they would all be useless should something go wrong. Still, they obeyed their orders and did not move from their positions and kept an eye out for any threats that would interrupt the ritual.

Togami gathered his power around him and concentrated his will. Normally such a ritual would take more than one lumen, but Togami felt confident in his own abilities. And so he began the recitation necessary to commence the spell.

Swirling masses of magical force became apparent, and the symbols of the circle glowed as the spell began to take effect. Togami stood at the center, still and collected to an outsider, but to those with lumen skills could sense that the force that the king was using would tear a normal man to pieces in the blink of an eye.

Togami inwardly grunted at the effort as he worked the spell. It felt like every fiber of his being was being stretched thing. This was indeed a spell from the time of ancient lumens, the sheer magnitude of the magical workings seemed beyond even him. If he was not careful, the side effects of a failed casting could be disastrous, not only to him, but to all of Shanjia.

Yet, he could feel it working. The power of the spell spreading across the fabric of reality. Soon he would have his army and then his revenge.