"The night was quiet on the border, the calm before the storm.
I stood on a small hill, overlooking the border fortress of the Kingdom of Axentra. The ancient stone walls looked as if they had stood untouched for centuries, and the guards patrolled the ramparts regularly, unaware that their fate had already been sealed.
Beside me stood Elizabeth, wearing a long black robe, her silver hair billowing in the cold wind.
"Are you ready?" I asked without looking at her.
"Of course," she replied in a low voice, then slowly raised her hands.
At that moment, the air began to change.
Magical energy gathered in the place, so much so that the ground itself began to tremble, and the sky became overcast with black clouds. I felt a strange sensation, as if I were standing before something beyond human comprehension.
"Let's show them what the power of a god means."
Inside the fortress, the soldiers were exchanging casual talk, some were drinking, and others were watching the sky with boredom.
But suddenly... the ground exploded beneath them.
Their screams filled the place, while blue flames rose from nowhere, devouring the stones and walls as if it were divine wrath incarnate.
"W-What's happening?!"
"It's the end of the world!"
Then... in the midst of the chaos, a giant eye formed in the sky, a glowing golden eye, staring directly at the terrified soldiers.
And in a single moment, a deep voice boomed as if it came from the depths of the heavens:
"You have angered the God... your punishment has come!"
The soldiers fell to their knees, some fleeing in terror, and others driven mad by the sheer horror.
And in the midst of all this, I stood on the hill, watching the scene with a calm smile.
"Elizabeth, you have outdone yourself."
She whispered to me with a cold smile, "It's just a simple demonstration, what's coming will be more exciting."
By morning, the fortress had fallen without us fighting a real battle.
I reached the destroyed gate and saw the remains of the soldiers who couldn't flee, their faces pale, their eyes wide open, as if they had seen something inexplicable.
"Excellent…" I murmured, then turned to Giorgio, who was standing behind me, trembling.
"Spread the news… tell them that the new Emperor carries the blessing of the God, and any kingdom that considers opposing him will face the same fate."
Giorgio bowed quickly, then hurried to carry out my orders.
As for me… I raised my eyes to the sky, where traces of magic still lingered in the air.
"This is just the beginning…"
If the world wants to see me as a god descended from the heavens… then I will make them believe it completely.
◈◈◈◈
Three days had passed since the fall of the border fortress, but the echoes of the event spread like wildfire.
Stories of the "Emperor blessed by the God" swept through villages and cities, turning into a legend among the people. Some were afraid, and others began to see me as a celestial being impossible to challenge.
In the throne room, I sat relaxed, while the advisors argued in low voices about what should be done after this powerful blow to Axentra.
"My lord, the news has reached the royal court in Axentra, but they have not sent any official reaction yet!" said Giorgio, worry evident in his eyes.
"That's natural," I said coldly, then clasped my fingers together.
"The fall of an entire fortress without a real battle? How can they respond to that?"
It wasn't just a military defeat; it was a psychological blow to their entire kingdom.
"But…" our conversation was interrupted by the sound of a loud explosion.
I quickly turned to the window and saw plumes of smoke rising from one of the capital's districts.
"What's happening?!"
I left the palace quickly, accompanied by knights of the Imperial Guard.
When we reached the site of the explosion, I saw a group of soldiers trying to control the situation. Amidst the destruction, stood a single figure, unmoving.
A tall man, wearing gleaming black armor, his long blue hair flowing over his shoulders. In his hand, he held a massive sword that emitted a purple glow.
"Finally... we meet face to face, Emperor blessed by the God."
His voice was deep, carrying a clear tone of disdain.
My eyes narrowed, then I stepped forward, giving him a steady look.
"And who are you?"
The man smiled, then plunged his sword into the ground, causing a small crack in the stone road.
"My name is Dimitri Valdorn, the First Royal Knight of the Kingdom of Axentra... and I have come bearing a message."
He raised his hand and waved a paper sealed with the royal family's seal of Axentra.
But I didn't move to take it.
"A message? After I destroyed your fortress? You are too late."
"Oh, this is not a message of surrender," said Dimitri with a provocative smile.
Then he threw the paper towards me, and it fell at my feet.
"It is an invitation... to a royal duel."
I picked up the letter and opened it slowly.
"To Emperor Kyle, if you are truly blessed by the God, then prove it before everyone's eyes. We invite you to the grand dueling arena in Axentra, where you will face one of the kingdom's strongest knights. If you fear to fight, then consider it a clear defeat for your kingdom."
I chuckled softly.
"So, instead of declaring war, they want to test my strength first?"
"Test? No, they want to humiliate you," said Dimitri, raising his sword onto his shoulder. "If you are defeated in this duel, your prestige will collapse before everyone."
But instead of being annoyed, I felt excitement coursing through my veins.
"Very well, Dimitri…" I stepped towards him until I stood only a step away. "Inform your king that I accept the challenge."
A slow smile spread across his lips, then he turned away.
"Good... don't be late, Heavenly Emperor."
I kept watching him until he disappeared amidst the rising smoke.
Then I turned my face towards the guards and ordered them:
"Prepare yourselves, we will depart for Axentra."
◈◈◈◈
Axentra… the kingdom that dared to challenge my authority, and which thought it could stop me with a ridiculous duel.
I stood in the throne room, contemplating the world map hanging before me, while the advisors and military leaders argued about the decision I had made.
"Your Imperial Majesty, we cannot allow you to risk yourself!" said one of the commanders angrily.
"This is a trick! They want to lure you into their lands!"
"It's an obvious trap, we cannot trust them!"
I listened to their objections in silence, then raised my hand, and they immediately fell silent.
"I am not a fool," I said in a calm voice that was sharp as a blade. "I know this duel is just a front, but I will not miss this opportunity."
"Opportunity?" asked Giorgio, the palace advisor, looking at me in bewilderment.
"Yes, an opportunity… to humiliate them before everyone."
I ran my fingers over the map, staring at Axentra.
"I will go there, not only to defeat their First Knight, but to plant fear in their hearts, to make them realize that they have never faced a force like this before."
Then I turned to them, my eyes gleaming with a cold light.
"When I return, Axentra will not just be a hostile kingdom… it will be under my feet."
Two days later, I set out with a small detachment of personal guards, heading towards the royal capital of Axentra.
I chose to make the journey public, so that everyone would know that I was not afraid, and that I was not trying to sneak into enemy territory.
Every city and village we passed through, people came out of their homes to watch us. Some whispered in fear, and others stared at me as if I were a celestial being.
But one thing was clear… my name had already become a legend.
As we approached the borders of Axentra, a procession of knights appeared, waiting for us.
At the forefront was Dimitri Valdorn, the First Royal Knight, riding his black steed, his eyes gleaming with arrogant confidence.
"So, you didn't back down…" he said in a calm voice.
"And did you expect me to?" I asked with a cold smile.
"Foolishness has many forms, and we will see which one you have chosen for yourself," he said, turning his horse. "Follow me, the duel will be held at sunset in the grand arena."
The procession moved, and we rode through the gates of Axentra towards the heart of the kingdom.
I could see the faces of the people who lined the sides of the road, some looked afraid, and others looked at me with curiosity.
But I didn't care about them.
My goal was the throne itself.
As sunset approached, thousands gathered in the grand arena, where the duel would take place.
Kings, nobles, and military leaders were all present, seated in their designated places, waiting for the start of the contest.
And in the middle of the arena, I stood without armor, wearing only a long black robe, my sword hanging at my waist.
On the other side, Dimitri stood in full armor, covered in steel from head to toe, his massive sword gleaming in the sunlight.
"I hope you don't disappoint me, Heavenly Emperor," he said, slowly drawing his sword.
I smiled faintly, then closed my eyes for a moment, sensing the magical energy in the air.
"I will show you what it means to stand before an unstoppable force."
"We shall see then!"
Then the sound of the trumpet echoed, announcing the beginning of the battle.
And that was the moment… when the fall of Axentra began.