The morning was peaceful.
Golden sunlight filtered through the endless branches of Ashvattha, the Elder World Tree.
Birds sang.
The Empire thrived.
And for once.
Nothing was trying to destroy reality.
Kael considered that a successful day.
Ashvattha's ancient voice echoed gently.
"Enjoying the peace?"
Kael sat against one of the massive roots.
"Yes."
The Elder World Tree chuckled.
"You're surprisingly simple for someone who transcends countless layers of existence."
Kael shrugged.
"Peace is nice."
"Fair enough."
Nearby.
Verdelia approached.
Her emerald robes flowed softly in the breeze.
She carried a basket of flowers gathered from the Imperial Gardens.
She smiled when she saw Kael.
"There you are."
Kael looked up.
"Apparently."
Verdelia laughed.
"I've been looking for you."
"You found me."
"That is how looking works."
Ashvattha laughed loudly.
Verdelia sat beside him.
For several moments.
Neither spoke.
The silence was comfortable.
The kind shared by people who had known each other for ages.
Eventually Verdelia smiled.
"Do you ever get tired?"
Kael tilted his head.
"Tired?"
"Of being responsible for everything."
The question lingered.
Kael looked toward the city.
Toward the people.
Toward the Empire.
Then he answered.
"Sometimes."
Verdelia seemed surprised.
"Really?"
Kael nodded.
"Even peace requires effort."
Ashvattha hummed thoughtfully.
"A wise answer."
Verdelia smiled softly.
"Then thank you."
Kael blinked.
"For what?"
"For carrying so much."
The garden became quiet.
Kael looked away.
Slightly embarrassed.
"You're welcome."
Suddenly.
A brilliant golden light appeared nearby.
The air itself seemed to shine.
Everyone immediately recognized the aura.
Zeraphiel.
Her long silver-white hair flowed past her shoulders in soft waves.
Her glowing amber-orange eyes shone like miniature suns.
She carried herself with the confidence of a divine warrior.
Golden jewelry adorned her neck, arms, waist, and legs.
Every movement radiated strength and elegance.
She looked less like a queen.
And more like a living solar deity.
Ashvattha laughed.
"Ah."
"Here comes trouble."
Zeraphiel immediately pointed at him.
"I heard that."
The World Tree laughed harder.
Zeraphiel walked over.
Crossing her arms.
"What are we talking about?"
Verdelia smiled.
"Kael."
"Ah."
Zeraphiel nodded.
"That's a large topic."
Kael sighed.
"Please don't start."
Too late.
Zeraphiel sat down.
Looking directly at him.
"You know."
"Most beings spend their lives trying to reach higher levels of existence."
Kael immediately knew where this was going.
"Oh no."
Zeraphiel continued anyway.
"If someone creates a system."
"You're beyond it."
Ashvattha laughed.
"If someone creates a framework."
"You're beyond it."
Verdelia joined in.
"If someone creates a narrative."
"You're beyond it."
"If someone creates a cosmology."
"You're beyond it."
Soon all three were participating.
"If someone creates a hierarchy."
"He's beyond it."
"If someone creates a concept."
"He's beyond it."
"If someone creates transcendence."
"He's beyond it."
"If someone creates something beyond transcendence."
"He's beyond that too."
Kael buried his face in his hands.
"This conversation again."
The three immediately started laughing.
Then another presence arrived.
A familiar one.
A fiery one.
A dangerous one.
Ignisia.
Dragon flames danced around her.
Golden-red energy flowed through the air.
She walked directly toward Kael.
Ignoring everyone else.
"Kael."
"Yes?"
"I have a question."
Kael sighed dramatically.
"Why does everyone have questions today?"
Ignisia sat beside him.
Close enough that the others immediately started smiling.
Kael noticed.
Ignored it.
Ignisia looked toward the city.
"Do you ever regret becoming what you are?"
The question surprised everyone.
Even Ashvattha became quiet.
Kael thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"No."
Ignisia looked toward him.
"Why?"
Kael smiled.
A genuine smile.
Because of moments like this.
Because of the Empire.
Because of the World Trees.
Because of his daughters.
Because of his friends.
Because of his wives.
Because of the people he cared about.
"If becoming this allowed me to meet all of you."
"Then no."
The garden fell silent.
Verdelia smiled.
Ashvattha's leaves rustled happily.
Zeraphiel looked away.
Trying not to show how touched she was.
Failing completely.
Ignisia stared at him for several seconds.
Then smiled.
A rare smile.
A genuine one.
"Good answer."
Kael laughed.
"Thank you."
The five sat together beneath the Elder World Tree.
Talking.
Laughing.
Watching the Empire.
No battles.
No cosmic threats.
No collapsing realities.
Just family.
Just friends.
And for Kael Veyris.
The being who stood beyond countless structures of existence.
Those moments mattered more than any amount of power ever could.