Post by Hibernal on Mar 18, 2021 18:26:53 GMT -5
Seven years.
It had been seven years since Hibernal Wintergreen had set foot on home soil. Hovering in his ship, suspended in space above his homeworld, Hibernal reminisced. For him, a short blink. But for his daughter? It'd been half a lifetime. Hibernal remembered. The first time she'd been here, he'd carried her out of the ship on his shoulders.
She couldn't see the city, but she'd feel it. She'd feel the biting cold winds, hear the hustle and bustle of the common folk, smell the scent of industry, taste Arcosian delicacies. Eyes were not needed to see the city. The pinnacle of civilization needed no such trite luxuries to express it's wonder. In fact, Hibernal always felt that she'd be able see the city better then he could.
Indeed, she was still young. Young enough for wonder, young enough for glory. Hibernal... well...
As he sat on his throne, hooked up to disgustingly sanitary tubes, disrespectfully professional nurses tending to his needs... he didn't feel quite so young.
In fact, were it up to Hibernal, he wouldn't have returned home. There was still much fighting to be done out there- much more to do, so much more. There was always more to do- more people to conquer, enemies to vanquish, resources to exploit, land to take. So much more to do. So much.
Yet, two events led him to his homeland.
One, the Emperor had vanished. It was a curious event- one without much precedent, either. Regardless of how it happened, though, Hibernal knew what was to follow.
A power vacuum. Infighting. Infidels crawling over themselves to sit on the seat of power, unworthy as they may have been. Sickening. Hibernal wished to drive his lance through those who thought themselves suitable for a position they were not qualified for- if he could fork through their heart like wet paper, they didn't have the strength to sit on the throne. Didn't have the resolve. Didn't have the mettle.
Secondly... Hibernal had collapsed. Pain sprouted from his every orface. Age, perhaps, was the most terrible foe Hibernal had faced yet. His own power... it was drastically lower then it was in his prime. He wondered how long this decline had continued for.
Nonetheless... he was Hibernal Wintergreen. Now that he knew age had him on a timer, he'd rage against it. He'd rise above even the strength he held in his prime. He would find a way.
He would.
But for now, he would enjoy his excursion home.
"Bring Ise to me. I wish to speak with her." commanded Hibernal, his booming voice strong even as his body grew weak. A nearby servant turned to the emperor and scuttled off, searching for that favored daughter of his.
When would she arrive...?