It had been a few days since La'ar Miars had returned home. Upon his return, he spent almost every moment with his family. Whether it was engaging in idle chatter with his wife and children or playing with his grandchildren, he was there all the time. It was not entirely unusual, after all as a general who led their armies in the frontlines, La'ar would be away from home for many years at a time. Whenever he returned for rest and vacation, he would always spend his time with his family. But something was different this time, and his family could tell.
Even if he would spend time with his family during his leave, he would still keep in touch with the military and even read reports from the frontlines from time to time. But now, he had stopped working altogether. That night, when his grandchildren went to sleep, his wife and sons sat down with him.
Their expressions clearly hinted their worries. Seeing this, La'ar knew that he could not keep them in the dark. After all, this concerned his family's safety. He smiled bitterly as he drank the whiskey in his glass, savouring its taste that he had almost forgotten after abstaining in the frontlines.
"Change is upon us. I don't know what kind or how tumultuous it would be, but I'm certain that Rima will fall into chaos."
Hearing his words, his family's faces dropped to a frown. What could have happened that would prompt this old unyielding veteran to say such things with a seemingly defeated tone? His recent behaviour as well was as though he was exasperated with everything, giving up completely.
This was not the man that they knew, but it was precisely because of this that they took his words even more seriously. If even the renowned La'ar Miars was being so pessimistic about the prospects of Rima's future, then there must be something terribly wrong. Knowing this man's unyielding character, his eldest son spoke in a low voice.
"Dad, just tell us one thing. Are we giving up on Rima?"
La'ar Miars stared at his son, admiring the sharp glint in his eyes. His sons were not soldiers. He did not allow them to join the military. But he did teach them how to fight and protect themselves. They were powerful and would definitely be among the sharpest blades of the army if they joined. Their family carried a legacy that they did not dare betray.
Everyone of them was powerful in their own right. And within the eyes of his sons and his wife, La'ar Miars saw the resolve to live up to the legacy of their family. And as though rekindled by their resolve, La'ar Miars' felt his blood boiling. His eyes seemingly reflecting the light of an ethereal and invisible flame.
"Never!"
La'ar Miars suddenly stood up and headed toward the cellar with purposeful strides. Seeing this, his family followed. Upon reaching the cellar, La'ar clapped twice. The lights in the cellar turned off, leaving them in the dark, but not for long. After waiting for twenty seconds, blue light appeared on the left wall of the cellar forming an outline of a door.
This door would not be revealed nor would it open unless the lights were out. And the twenty seconds' wait time was meant to trick others in case someone tried search the cellar and somehow turned the lights off. After all, no one would normally wait twenty seconds in the dark for nothing. After pressing against the door, it gave way to a staircase leading further downward.
La'ar Miars and his family stepped into it, the door sliding back into place behind them as the lights in the cellar turned back on. Now, even if someone came looking for them in the cellar, no one would find the door. A few meters below the cellar, at the end of the staircase was a small room. Upon entering the room, a blue light bathed them for a few seconds until a mechanical voice rang out from the walls.
[Identity confirmed: Emperor Alars Rima]
[Identity confirmed: Empress Sofia Rima]
[Identity confirmed: First Prince Polus Rima]
[Identity confirmed: Second Prince Seria Rima]
A door opened before them and the four stepped through, entering a large hall that seemed stuck in time. There were a few pillars supporting the ceiling, each decorated with ancient designs, even depicting some creatures that have long been extinct. But the true centerpiece of this great hall was the singular statue that stood at its heart.
There was nothing else in this large hall other than the pillars and the statue. The statue was seemingly carved out of black marble in the shape of a man covered only with a thin piece of cloth. His hands were slightly raised in front of him with a clear glass orb resting on them. Upon reaching closer to the statue, the four of them knelt down.
"Ancestor, we have failed you. Unbeknownst to us, the enemies have infiltrated our people. And now, our world has been brought to the forefront of war."
Hearing his La'ar Miars, or rather, Alars Rima's words, his family shivered. Although they were not in the military, they understood what he meant. They were the last surviving members of the Rima Imperial Family. After the fall of the Rima Empire, their ancestors had hidden themselves and blended in with the rest of the changing world, changing their names entirely.
After enough time passed, certain that no one would recognise them anymore, they revealed themselves under the name Miars. The Miars family had dipped their hands in any and all aspects of Rima society, be it military, politics, commerce, education, arts and sciences. Their legacy was the prevailing civilisation of their world, but it was now under threat. And they could not let it happen.
"I ask for the Ancestor's forgiveness for what I am about to do. It is a grave sin, choosing a path. It is the very act that has set our world on the course for doom. But I know of no other way. A path can only be surmounted by a path. So let this be the final sin on Rima, the one that might stir us away from doom."
As Alars spoke, his family raised their heads, staring at him in shock. Their eyes burning in fury yet wetted by tears threatening to spill. They were not angry at Alars for deciding to choose a path of his own. They were furious at the fact that he was forced to do so, violating his own oath and responsibility as the current Emperor.
Despite being a hidden Emperor, slinking in the shadows, he had fought for Rima on the frontlines. He was the source of great pride for the Imperial Family. For him to compromise his own oath and principles was a greater heartache to him than any of them could possibly imagine.
Alars raised his hands before him. He found, resting on his palm, the invisible glow that the Graven Lord had given him. It never disappeared, always sticking to him. Unless he blew on it, it would not flicker out and vanish. He stared at it for a while, his gaze incredibly solemn. He was not hesitating as he had already resolved himself. He was just relishing the last few moments of freedom and purity that he had.
In his mind, the Graven Lord's words echoed once more. The Pinnacle War is brutal and merciless. It would be better not to be involved in it at all. But if he were ever to find that it was already too late for Rima to turn back and that there was no other recourse but to tread upon a path, then he should take this into himself and seize control of his own Fate.
"Graven Lord Uriah, I thank you for opening my eyes. I shall accept this power you've given me, but know that I shall never be a slave to Dreams! I am Alars Rima, Emperor!"
Alars Rima brought the invisible glow to his chest, pushing it deep within him. He had expected it to be a painful process, but it was as though a cool breeze was blowing gently against his skin. All it was was comfort. There was a strange sense of freedom and lightness that came with it that left Alars feeling confused.
Was it supposed to be like this?
Was it not a flame that would ravage his entire being, baptising him in the dyes of Dreams?
He could tell that the invisible glow contained great power so he was prepared to suffer for taking it into himself, but there was not even a hint of pain. He expected to feel the weight of the path, especially one as powerful as Dreams, but it was like he was walking in an open field. It was inexplicable and completely contrary to his expectations.
Was this really the power of Dreams?
But at that moment, something appeared in his vision, resonating with something now born in the depths of his being. And it gave him the answer to his questions.
[You have assimilated a Lesser Ergo Spark of Reverie.]
[You have entered the Path of Reverie.]
[As the first Pathstrider of Reverie, you have been granted the privilege of wielding the authority of Reverie.]
[You have gained the authority of Reverie. You now have access to the Reverie Corridor.]