Editing Parchments and Bolters (section)

=== Meeting the Emperor ===

Lucid dreaming was not a common occurrence, but enough that she knew what was going on. She found herself dressed in a toga. She witnessed an old place, ancient even by Earth’s standard, Constantinople. More specifically, the Hagia Sophia. The beautiful arches, the lush gardens, and even the untouched mosaics that glistened like gems. It was comforting to be in the church again, even if it may be a dream.

She saw a man. Taller than the average man with rippling muscles, dressed in a white robe and red sash, glowign in the most glorious gold. With features that all men would be jealous of, and all women would lust after.

“A beautiful church, is it not?” The man said.

“It is.” 5552 said. “I was there when it was being constructed. From beginning to end, I would always visit Constantinople every decade or so.”

“Have you now?”

5552 nodded, eyes glued on to the man more than the church itself, despite its brilliance architecture. How could a man look so… divinely handsome? She calmed her heart, turning her gaze at the mosaics instead. Yes, the mosaics made for an excellent dish to her eyes.

“I did, it’s strange. I can remember them so clearly now…” 5552 said. “Especially when Constantine made it the capital of the empire.”

“It is much shame it was built for worship.” The man said. “A waste of effort.”

5552 raised a singular eyebrow, holding her offended visage.

“What does it matter?”

“It does, what has religion done for them that it deserves such a building? They should have made it for medical research, or a place for scholars to gather.”

“It’s where people find solace, be it whether their religion is real or not.” 5552 said.

“Praying does nothing but instill false hope.”

“Having hope matters, it doesn't matter how you attain it." 5552 said. "Enough of this nonsense, I'm going to awake up from this aggravating dream."

5552 shut her eyes tight, then opened them again.

The alluring warmth of the bed detained 5552 as much as possible. The soft fur against her skin and the softness of the bed trapped her in, until the booming voices of the thunder warriors awakened her sleep. 5552 groaned under her breath. The captain slammed the door open, his visage hidden by the golden mask.

“Get up, we move out now.”

“Mnn…”

5552 let out a long yawn before moving. Ignoring the slaves she walked across the tightened the straps of her new winter coat and the packs for maps that the thunder warriors found. What astounded her was the fact that the barbarians knew how to read.

“Let us go.”

And so, 5552 began the long march with the thunder warriors into the frozen wilderness. Mountains in covered in snow stretched far into the horizon. The winds howled, whipping against 5552’s face. Even with the layers of clothes, the cold seeped into her bones. Eventually, she had to be carried by the captain’s shoulder due 5552’s inability to keep up with their pace.

“So who is this Emperor?” 5552 said.

“He is the leader of us thunder warriors. The Emperor of Mankind.”

“That’s some title.” 5552 said skeptically.

“I understand the doubt you have. But he is the only hope for humanity, and the unification for the great future for mankind.” The captain said fervently. “You will know once you meet him.”

“And how far is he?”

“He is in Ghonest.”

“Your men conquered that far?” 5552 said disbelievingly.

“It is because the Emperor leads us. Nothing more.” The captain said proudly. “Once you meet his liege. You too will understand.”

And before she knew it, she arrived at Ghonest, only a few feet away from the tent where the so-called Emperor was.

It was a bright light that first enveloped her vision. A golden armor so intricately carved that she had never seen before. In all her life she witnessed countless art, but what she saw now, this was not art, but something far more, something she could not describe with mere words. Then his face, his light dark skin was practically flawless and his visage was as if God himself crafted with the finest clay! Not to mention his height, the thunder warriors around him was now but a mere child next to the god.

“Greetings.”

The man’s mouth did not move, yet he spoke, with a voice of silk and rich baritone that echoed inside her mind, like a drop of water that would make a pond ripple once. 5552 swallowed the lump in her throat, she quickly fixed her hanging jaw. Should she bow? Prostrate?

“G-Greetings…” 5552 said nervously.

“My captain tells me that some slaves saw you die, and that he saved you from the violent mob.”

“He did… my Emperor. I’m thankful.”

“It is good that you are here. You are like me are you not?”

5552 nervously laughed, out of confusion more than anything else.

“Forgive me for not believing that, Emperor.” 5552 said. “There is not a single thing that makes us the same.”

“You have walked with humanity have you not? Far longer than I have.”

“I have not done much I’m afraid.” 5552 said.

“Have you now?”

The Emperor placed his golden gauntlet over 5552’s head, he moved so gracefully, so kindly, that 5552 did not fear the giant. Warm light flooded in her mind, bringing memories that even she did not remember. Her first child, Sabium, he ruled Babylon as the first king. Hannibal, her second son, with a heavy heart, she knew he who ould grow as a warrior, much to her worry. Socrates, her third son, he drove her mind with his inquisitive mind. A single tear rolled down to her cheek.

“How… how can I forget my sons?”

“You have lived for millenniums, it is not your fault. You have sired sons that shaped this world, a mother that changed the course of humanity.”

“I… thank you. But it was not I should be commended.” 5552 said. “I simply raised them.”

“And now, you will be needed once more. Once I take humanity’s reign, I will be the guiding arms and mind of humanity. You shall be its heart, place your trust in me, and my plan.”

“And what is your plan?”

The Emperor smiled.