The morning sun rose over the Empire.
Golden light flowed through the streets.
The World Trees glowed softly.
Citizens began another peaceful day.
And for once.
Nothing was trying to destroy reality.
At the Imperial Palace.
Hundreds of knights stood assembled in the courtyard.
The Imperial Guard.
The protectors of the Empire.
Men and women who dedicated their lives to defending the people.
They stood at attention as Kael Veyris entered the courtyard.
The knights immediately saluted.
"Lord Kael."
Kael nodded.
"Good morning."
The knights exchanged surprised looks.
Usually when Kael gathered everyone.
It meant something important was happening.
One of the captains stepped forward.
"My Lord."
"Yes?"
"Why have we been summoned?"
Kael looked around.
Then smiled.
"Good news."
The entire courtyard became confused.
"Good news?"
Kael nodded.
"Good news."
The knights waited.
Kael continued.
"There are no invasions."
The knights blinked.
"There are no cosmic disasters."
The knights looked even more confused.
"There are no reality collapses."
A few knights started smiling.
"There are no narrative anomalies."
Several began laughing.
"There are no beings trying to conquer the Empire."
Now the entire courtyard was smiling.
Kael folded his arms.
"You have all worked hard."
The knights became quiet.
"So."
Kael smiled.
"You are officially getting a week off."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then the courtyard exploded.
The knights cheered.
Some celebrated.
Others looked like they couldn't believe it.
One knight nearly dropped his sword.
The captain laughed.
"A week off?"
Kael nodded.
"A paid week off."
The cheering somehow became even louder.
Above them.
Ashvattha's branches shook with laughter.
The Elder World Tree had witnessed the birth and fall of countless realities.
Nothing compared to the excitement of soldiers hearing they had paid vacation.Kael sat beneath Ashvattha's massive branches.
A large table had been set up.
Tea rested in the center.
Wukong was already eating.
Three plates were somehow empty.
Nobody knew where the food had gone.
Nobody wanted to ask.
Ignisia sat nearby.
Watching Wukong.
"That's your fourth plate."
Wukong pointed with a fork.
"I fight a lot."
"That isn't an explanation."
"It is for me."
Kael quietly drank tea.
Nxy sat beside him.
Watching the city below.
The Empire looked beautiful.
Peaceful.
Alive.
Lilith smiled.
"The people seem happy."
Kael nodded.
"They are."
Ignisia looked toward him.
"You gave the knights a week off."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Kael shrugged.
"They deserve it."
Wukong nodded immediately.
"Correct."
Everyone stared.
Wukong pointed dramatically.
"People think heroes save worlds."
He pointed at the city.
"Those knights protect families."
He pointed toward Kael.
"You protect existence."
Then he pointed toward his plate.
"And I protect lunch."
Silence.
Then everyone laughed.
Even Kael.
Nxy smiled softly.
"You know."
"What?"
Nxy looked toward Kael.
"A lot of people think you're distant."
Kael blinked.
"Distant?"
Lilith nodded.
"They see the Architect."
"The Origin."
"The being beyond realities."
"They don't always see..."
Lilith smiled.
"Kael."
For a moment.
The group became quiet.
Then Ignisia spoke.
"That's because Kael spends half his time creating impossible libraries."
"True."
"And the other half rewriting stories."
"Also true."
"And somehow he still finds time to help random citizens."
Kael sipped his tea.
"I have good time management."
Wukong nearly choked laughing.
"No."
Ignisia laughed.
"Absolutely not."
Lilith laughed.
Nxy laughed.
Even Ashvattha's leaves rustled with amusement.
For a while.
Nobody talked about power.
Nobody talked about narratives.
Nobody talked about frameworks.
They simply sat together.
Friends.
Family.
People enjoying a peaceful afternoon.
Far below.
The knights celebrated their vacation.
The merchants sold goods.
Children played beneath the World Trees.
Families enjoyed their day.
The Empire thrived.
And Kael Veyris looked upon it all.
Not as the Architect.
Not as the Origin.
Not as the being who viewed infinite narratives as books.
But as someone happy to see the people he cared about smiling.
And for Kael.
That was very good news indeed.