Prologue

Everyone in the Mille-Voix court sits in suspense as other leaders from far and wide have arrived. Shadow Booster looking at each one of them intently as they wait for the Shadow Emperor to arrive.

Chancellor Volantriss is playing around with her thin white fur coat. Her short brunette hair is done pixie style. Wearing a white jumpsuit underneath the long fur coat. No make-up or jewelry on her. She's only twenty-five years old and this is her very first grand meeting as a world leader... She rules the White Empire and is Chancellor of the capital city of Ventuss.

Shadow Booster couldn't help but snicker at her. She looks obviously nervous. Where all other leaders are stone-cold faced trying to not look at each other in the eye. Many of them are raised as royals who have family spanning generations of leadership. The White Empire hasn't had a royal family since their country reformed one-hundred-fifty years ago. Deeming the royal family unnecessary and threatened to kill them all.

The royal family being members' of the Gold Empire. They had no choice but to give in to their demands. As the Star Dragon civil war had taken place. They couldn't afford more deaths. It was one of the challenges where the Gold Empire gave in... From then on, the White Empire elects their leaders from the advisory council. Volantriss is an advisor herself only getting the title by default as no one else wanted to rule... Which Shadow Booster laughs to himself as everywhere else it's usually the opposite...

Volantriss's advisors and guards all talking to her at the same time. The Shadow Booster smiles and enjoys watching her squirm. As she demands them to shut up causing the loudest ruckus in the large meeting chamber.

Shadow Booster looking around the room as he spots Emperor Zhong Jian. Husband to Empress Zhen who chose to remain at home... He remains calm and collected as he sits still like a statue. Heavily guarded with human dragons and soldiers. There is no way anyone is easily getting through that barricade.

Empress Vatra drinking tea with her dragon advisor Valencia. Vatra is not showing any emotion, but she is as anxious during the last meeting. It has been weeks since then... Her like everyone else wants this war to be officially over. But if everything doesn't go her way there is a huge chance the war will continue. With the Brown kingdom and Light-Blue following close behind.

"How long is he going to take?! This is beyond rude and disrespectful! We should start the meeting without him!" Grand Princess Nerida speaks out to Armageddon the Shadow Emperor's second in command from across the room.

Shadow Booster's master Armageddon smiles in his decorative Black and purple armour. "He will be here. He has an emergency meeting with one of our nobles. He will be with us shortly..." His low voice echoing through the room as everyone looks at him. Nerida just scoffs and folds her arms.

Grand Princess Nerida... Daughter of King Marlowe, cousin to Empress Laelia Ovideus. Who was killed from being on the run for years with her husband Emperor Aelius Ovideus. If Shadow Booster knows anything is to never mess with that family. Strongest and largest navy on the sea... They will never ally with the Black Empire in any sense of form. They want the Black Empire gone and burnt to the ground. Just too bad the Black Empire is mostly that... Land... Inclementia our capital is nowhere near the ocean. Princess Nerida will probably make sure that the Black Empire will get the least of anything in the deal and Armageddon knows this.

Shadow Booster looks to his left and sees a friendly familiar face, Chancellor Erskine. The Purple Empire's leader... He gets along with the Black Empire as they are neighboring nations. Leader of at least a hundred clans, they are famous for their mercenaries and land armies. He became leader with votes by the clan leaders. Decorated with the large bones of a hydrag that he uses as armour along Caped with the skin of the hydrag. Apparently, he killed the beast with his bare hands. A wonderful story he always tells at dinner parties.

And next to Erskine's bunch sits Emperor Asotele's the third, only living younger brother Khafra. The one who deals with the politics of Dominus Sahara. Where his older brother just lavishes in his luxuries while beating up and killing slaves for enjoyment. They're the Black Empire's closest allies and largest trade partners for the slave trade. He sits patiently as he talks to his slave in prisshek. To Shadow Booster's surprise, she isn't even wearing a mind control headgear and is sitting directly next to him. How unorthodox... She is well dressed for a human slave. Wearing a flowing orange dress, make-up, and even wearing a necklace. Her pink hair is done up into a bun with a beautiful green crystal clip. She is very lucky... As many slaves don't even get shoes or rags to wear...

As Shadow Booster looked around, he sees someone staring straight at him. It's Constant... The man he tried to kill and failed. He received a punch to the face from Armageddon when he returned. Since Shadow Booster failed Armageddon, he made sure that it wasn't Shadow Booster who went after him again. Armageddon wants him dead as they have history together. Life before he became Armageddon... A time when he was originally known as Lord Nero.

Constant breaks his stare and looks at Montahan next to him. The leader of the Brown Empire. Shadow Booster sees both men looking at him. Shadow Booster knowing full well he now has a target on his head.

"The Shadow Emperor has arrived!" His slave speaker shouts out. Everyone from his Empire stands as his cold presence reaches the room. His ghostly figure walking at a slow pace. No other Empire stands for him. Not even a hello... Vatra stares at him with a hateful glare. This meeting can make or break both of them.

The King and Queen of Millie-Voix remain polite as he enters the room as they are with all leaders. After all they are the hosts of this wonderful meeting of world leaders. A position that was once held by the Gold Empire. Queen Avery De-Villiers smiles as she stands welcoming everyone with a speech. Her accent is so thick some people cannot understand her properly. Her exorbitant red and brown gown taking up most of her box. Her large white wig is taller than a Suravi child...The dress seems to get larger and larger with each gathering... Her slaves helping her to move around constantly as she shifts around the mass of fabric. This time her theme is bows as they are placed all over the gown. Even her wig has a large red jeweled bow replacing a crown.

Her husband King Gauthier De-Villiers happily greets the Shadow Emperor with a handshake. The ghost looking Emperor looking reluctant but shakes his hand anyway. Like his wife, he wears exorbitant clothes. And like his wife he is wearing a purple dress trying to compete with her.

The meeting begins.

All the Emperors and leaders read days' worth of transcripts written from perspectives from all Empires who officially fought the war. Emperor Arman Kaiser murdered Vatra's husband Daxian Pavus. Which began a five-year-long war. The Black Empire intervened by killing Emperor Arman Kaiser as a clause for breaking their allyship agreements.

The discussions went all throughout the day as Black and Red Empire demand to control Demir, Greens capital city. After a long day of discussion, it was called to have a neutral vote. Which means other countries can have an input of who can end up with what. It's a huge risk on all parties, but the war can end quicker. Or possibly make new problems for the future.

Vatra, Shadow, Montahan, and their associates leave the room as the others are left to discuss the next step.

"The Shadow Emperor must not get his hands on Demir!" Princess Nerida says in frustration as she puts a cigarette in her mouth.

"But you heard what Vatra's followers did to that village near Chuma... They burnt it down killing innocent people." Erskine says in seriousness. "Would you feel good that many innocents dying under their hands?"

"Many people died anyway... This is a terrible war and many innocents died. And since when did you care about the people Erskine?" Nerida smarmily remarks. "I seem to remember you killing a clan leader for not voting for you."

He looks at Nerida with great annoyance.

"I agree with Nerida." As Emperor Zhong Jian says. "Chancellor Erskine your dragon partner Aarav, is it? He has a history with the league of eight does he not? Are they asking you to help us convince to give the Shadow Emperor more land?" He asks in curiosity.

"He has a history with the Shadow Emperor's dragon children, yes, but he has reformed. He hasn't spoken to them in years. He is a great dragon who does what he can to help others. I am just stating he is better fit to rule the Green Empire." Erskine says in complete confidence. But it's clear the others are not swayed.

"What is your input Volantriss?" Emperor Zhong Jian asks. She has been quiet throughout the whole meeting.

She takes out a cigar and puffing as she speaks each word. "Well... I think... That... The Shadow Emperor should have Demir" Making a mess on her pure white outfit and making others cough due to its strong smell.

"What?" Nerida says in shock. "Why do you think he should have anything? He basically cheated a game of chess." As she laughs in surprise.

"I just think he is a better leader than what Vatra is... Vatra is a religious woman. Whatever their weird bird thing wants. It shall receive and it's usually death to those who don't conform."

"But the Black Empire is worse..." Nerida points out. "They will take your whole identity up to the point wishing you are dead! They stabbed their ally in the back. How can anyone support this?"

Nerida looks at Khafra. "I bet you're going to vouch for Shadow. After all, you're close allies."

Khafra looks down at Nerida. His yellow eyes staring at her. He then speaks in dragon tongue as his slave translates.

"That's not quite true..." The slave speaks. "I am the voice of my brother who adores the Shadow Emperor. But we are not to be gullible... We are allies and he stabbed a fellow ally in the back. He is a fool to think we will bend to him like that. It wasn't just to kill an Emperor it was also a warning for us... If we ever fail our trade agreements."

After a week of discussing the new terms and agreements, everyone meets up inside the grand meeting chamber. Several stewards from the different nation's hand over the scrolls to Queen Avery.

She stands up and reads the final delegation.

"Ze Green Draconium Empire zall be split into two. The Black Empire zall have the northern mountains. Demir will belong... To Empress Vatra. All Black Empire associates and soldiers must leave Reds new territory immediately. " Queen Avery sounds excited and relieved. Where her husband looks down disappointingly.

Vatra couldn't help but smile as everyone around her celebrates the result. The clapping becoming a monstrous roar inside the echoing chamber.

"SILENCE!" King Gauthier shouts out.

The Turquoise Queen continues. "However, zince the Shadow Emperor haz ze royal family. He zall keep them as prisonerz and can do what he zeemz fit."

After a whole day of listening to Queen Avery. Vatra, Montahan and Shadow walk over to sign the new papers. The official ending to the Red and Green war.

"For peace... For my husband." Vatra says calmly as if a heavyweight has been lifted off her shoulders. Her husband may have been killed but she feels he may rest in peace now. Even if it wasn't herself who dealt the killing blow to Emperor Arman Kaiser she has what she wants. She raises her Red draconium quill to the Shadow Emperor like raising a glass. He does the same with his Black draconium quill. "For Peace Empress Vatra. We do what we must for our lands..."

And together they signed the new scroll which is magically bound. The war is officially over! A dance party was later held in the grand palace ballroom.

It was as if the world felt true peace. Shadow Booster standing guard for Armageddon as he swore to do. Looking at the Emperor's elite guards having a good time. He was so close to getting that role... But he stands where he must, like a good soldier.

Meanwhile, the Shadow Emperor is sitting on his makeshift throne. Watching the ball as everyone danced and enjoying themselves. Wondering if anyone was to die tonight... After all, it is a Mille-Voix ball. Someone is always killed... It's why the leaders of each nation have tasters and bring their own food.

While he was thinking and planning what fate, he would love to befall on all of them. But now is not the time even though they're all right in front of him. Killing Arman was a mistake thinking to himself. He thought it would scare the others to scare them away while thinking Red and Brown would be weaker to give in. But it's not enough. He would have to play harder and sneakier.

Nobles from all countries are trying their best to flatter the robed leader. Play the part he thinks to himself. Taking off his robe and revealing his powerful black magical armour. Sleek with spikes protruding from his shoulders and helmet. His mask of a human skull, red eyes glowing with intensity. This is the first time he has been seen without his robe. Taking everyone in the room by surprise.

He dances with a young noble lady as they waltzed around the ballroom with everyone's attention on them. Surprising how he can dance so well. Tempted to ask Vatra but he doesn't want to risk anymore embarrassment. Even worse to ask Nerida...

But there are many lingering things that lurk inside the Black Emperors' mind. His visions have not stopped and never will. Why could he not have been birthed with the gift that he needed? Many visions of what he has seen have come true. But it's a matter of when and where... The dream he had last night... A beautiful happy wedding. But it was vague... The vision did not present the people's faces only the venue... An unfamiliar venue. A place he has never been to before.

Asking the young noble lady questions of weddings and formal occasions happening. She answers politely that a royal wedding is to be held in the blue Empire. The Grand Prince Ju-Long Chin and a general's daughter Yang Shu-Lan. As the Emperor twirls the young woman, he gazes at Emperor Zhong Jian.

Smiling underneath his mask as he dances throughout the night. The atmosphere of everyone attending felt peace and relief. Yet everyone feels a freezing shiver in the air.