The Beginning of a gods Legend
Even though the sun had yet to rise Dius Fidus was awake. He sat at the single table in the opulent suit that he had retired to after the previous days ceremony. He sat his staring at the plates that contained the remains of his breakfast, and thought.
He had a name. No not just a name, a Mantle.
He remembered leading armies, laying waste to his enemies, raping planets and their inhabitants in war. He remembered being a King, a Tyrant, a Warlord, and a god, he had ruled planets, and systems. He remembered the taste of centuries old wine, the soft and silken skin of lovers dead millennia ago, he could see a shattered planet scared and burning, cratered from orbital bombardment and see his death coming as a flaming ship hurtled toward his position, he could hear the hymns sung for his glory whose echoes had faded long ago.
Yet these memories where not his, they were disorganized and distant, haze like and blunt edged, a dream remembered. These were the memories of the others that held his name, his Mantle, his inheritance. He was a child of Jupiter, a god, long lived and immortal through his legacy. He was not one of the nameless trash that crowed their strength from the roof tops, he was the Keeper of Oaths, The Oak, a warrior and god.
The door to his suite opened waking him from his reverie, a slave entered with her head properly bowed. Clothed in an off white tunic that hung to her knees, with bare feet, the slave girl saw the room's occupant was awake and with a subtle gesture of her head asked for permission to proceed. Taking a moment to admire her lithe form, Dius then waved his hand to the used plates. With a bow to him she quickly collected the remains of his breakfast and exited, bowing as she passed through the door.
The pounding of armored boots on marble came from outside his door, entering a centurion knelt before him.
"My Lord the Imperial Council requests your presence."
Rising he replied "Lead me to them."
As Dius exited the suite a pair of Jupiter's legionnaires fell in behind him, as he did not have his own legion yet. The group walked deeper into the main temple skirting the formal courtyard Dius had received his name and Mantle in the day before, making good time toward the Councils chambers.
Within ten minutes of leaving the suite Dius had spent the night in they arrived. The Legionnaire's that had been escorting Dius left to return to their post, as two Praetorian's swung open the Council chamber door.
Walking inside the room Dius was immediately the center of attention. There were 12 occupied thrones upon a u shaped dais with the open end facing the doors, in the center created by the arms of the dais kneeled the First Prime of Jupiter. Along the outside of the room were lesser gods and their retainers, the functionaries of the empire, the ones that made the bureaucracy of the Empire function.
Juno gestured to her husband's First Prime "Leave us, we have matters to discuss with our newest son"
"Yes my lady"
As the First Prime exited the room the doors shut with a soft thump, belying their ability to withstand a direct strike from vehicle mounted weapons. Dius stepped into the center of the dais and faced Jupiter and Juno who were seated at the center of the u.
"You have been summoned before the Imperial Council to receive your domain and to be informed of recent developments regarding the Kingdoms of The Nile."
"Lord Jupiter, what developments are you referring to? We have had little contact with that backward, cowardly lot of Gonach, since the defeat of The Dark One."
"Our spies have heard little but rumor, supposedly the First Prime of Apophis has defied his god and fled Chulak." spoke a man clad in a tunic and breeches bordered with gold, and belted with a brown silk sash. His throne was worked with snakes and a staff rested against the left side of his throne.
"Lord Mercury, the information seems trivial-"
"Do not tell a member of this council what is and is not Trivial" thundered Jupiter, eyes burning with golden fire, "We are the Imperial Council, we are the rulers of the Empire, we can have you killed on a whim, remember your place!" He was punctuated by the Praetorian guards that ringed the chamber stepping forward as one and activating their spears, the blade split down the middle and with a hissing snap blue plasma arced up the blades length.
From his knee Dius spoke, "My Lord, I apologize".
"Our Empire only holds together due to our strength, and our ability to see common goals, something many of our kind have forgotten or ignored. This Council exists to help guide the Empire, and as a way to expand the Empire's rule. Due not mistake our seeming generosity with weakness, you need us far more than we need you. If need be we can rip you from that host and feed you to the skrath, and raise a more agreeable godling."
"Lady Venus, I do not doubt your or the Council's power, nor do I doubt your necessity. I swore the Oaths and I will abide by them."
"Good, you know when to listen." came the gravelly voice of an imposing man. He was in full armor, leaning forward with his hands clasped and his elbows on his knees. The throne he was seated on was a simplistic things, all straight lines and sharp corners, what captured the eyes attention was the large hand and a half sword embedded in the marble to the right of the throne. The blade was obviously old, yet seemed to have a presence, it was a calm frozen indifference that radiated from the blade and the man.
Silence permeated the room, the stares of all in the room centered on Dius Fidus. None of the lesser gods dared to move lest they draw attention to themselves.
"Enough of the posturing, if the whelp is to die, end him, do not keep us in suspense" growled Mars as he sat back in his throne. The silence stretched an endless moment.
With a sideways flick of his hand Jupiter dismissed the Praetorians to their posts.
"Dius Fidus, you are to rule the Choechs Province, which is in the State ruled by Vesta, the province currently consists of two systems that have been newly settled, you are to secure and expand the border and the province with it.
A new Legion is being raised for you, after this expanding your forces falls on you. You will be supplied with two Ha'Tak, their compliments of death gliders and Tel'Tak, also you shall receive two Al'kesh."
"My thanks to the Council for their generosity. When will I leave for my Province?"
A smoky female voice answered, "Are you so ready to leave us? It is not every day that a god is reborn. Nevertheless it will take two weeks to raise a legion for you, and time for the competition for your First Prime to take place."
"You honor me my lady." replies Dius.
"Also I have someone for you to meet, she shall one of your priestesses and your Lo'Tar. Now I am honoring you, see that you do not offend my honor." said Vesta, as she gestured a woman in a red dress stepped forward. She wore her black hair long passed her shoulders, her dress was a deep red and provocatively low cut. Her onyx eyes flashed with intelligence before demerly being lowered.
"Her name is Adrastia, she has been trained as a priestess in preparation for your ascendance. She is capable in a myriad of skills."
The newly reviled Adrastia stepped down from the dais and joined Dius Fidus in the center of the court, she knelt in a bow first to Dius then to the Council.
"The tournament to select your First Prime will begin in three days, it is being held in the Grand Coliseum the competitors are being selected now. This Council session is adjourned." Came the voice of Jupiter.