*Part one: Hidden Enemy*
[Eternal Capital]
(Upper Ring)
In the Eternal Capital, just as Zhinu's emergency spell tore across the skies, the first to feel the disturbance was First Prince Xuan Zhuyuan, who froze mid-step as a crushing wave of dark energy pulsed through the three rings of the Capital city. His expression sharpened instantly, the calm aristocratic composure dropping as he muttered, "This aura… impossible."
Across the palace grounds of the upper ring, Eldar, who had just been attending a meeting with the emperor, felt the same tremor, glancing at each other with alarm as ancient instincts warned them something unnatural had breached the realm. The Imperial guards stationed at the palace gates instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons. They looked up into the sky, sensing the dark energy brewing as their weapons were trembling in their hands, and the sky dimmed for a split second.
Servants within the Eternal Palace stopped in place when the lamps flickered, whispering nervously as a suffocating stillness settled over the capital. Even the seasoned commanders in the Legion Barracks felt the shift, several rushing outside to stare toward the east where a faint ripple spread across the horizon.
The people of the Eternal Capital saw the dimmed sky and felt an uneasy presence as the looked up into the sky stretching to the east of the lower ring, for a spilt second stopping the daily routine but immediately resuming as the knowing presence of the Eldar eased the worrying feeling, allowing them to go about their day.
Standing on a bridge within the Princes Palace looking out across the sky, Xuan Zhuyuan clenched his jaw, sensing the rapidly approaching tide of shadows, his aura flaring with cold determination as he whispered to himself, "Father must be informed immediately this threat is already upon us."
(Taiyi Hall)
At his palace the emperor was discussing matters with Jinhui in his personal courters when news of the shadow horde reached his ear, "Report!!!" shouted a soldier as he rushed in, "Reporting to Your Majesty!", said the soldier in a distraught voice trembling in fear, "Speak", said Zhi'an calmly with a look of worry as he glanced at Jinhui, "Your majesty a signal spell was shot by the crown prince, with a message reporting that the shadow hordes are invading the Capital", explained the soldier in distress, "and he is requesting aid."
Shocked and fearful expression rushed across his face at this report. Zhi'an stood up from his seat and ordered all available troops to be sent to the Eternal Forest to aid the crown prince. "How is this possible?" asked Zhi'an as he took his seat again. "This can only mean one thing", said Jinhui as he stood up, "Your majesty, permission to enter the Imperial Archive?" asked Jinhui as he bowed slightly. "Permission granted."
As the Eternal Capital was under threat, Arceus and his group returned from the Monster Realm.
(Bifrost)
"That was so not nice", said Xunyang as he threw up right where he landed in Bifrost. "Now that's rude", commented one Gatekeeper. "Sorry", said Xunyang as he looked up at them on their pillars.
"Hahaha", laughed Taiyu as he saw Xunyang reaction to traveling in the bifrost for the first time, "What is so funny? old man" asked Xunyang arrogantly and irritated, "Nothing", replied Taiyu as he giggled and Xunyang ignored him.
As they exited the Bifrost they all could sense what was happening in the Eternal Capital. "What is that feeling? It feels just like the horde we took out in the Shadow Realm", said Xunyang as he walked closer to the edge of the Glass bridge that connected the Bifrost to the mainland of the Eternal Capital. "Yes, you are right, it is the shadow horde", acknowledge Taiyu and joined Xunyang at the edge of the bridge. "My lord?" asked Taiyu as he stroked his beard and glanced back at Arceus.
"It does not concern me", answered Arceus as a cold, icy energy encircled him, and he flashed off, leaving a chilly feeling behind. As they looked on after Arceus, Taiyu knew exactly why he refused to aid in the crisis. "What are we going to do?" asked Xunyang, concerned. "For someone not from the Eternal Realm, you seem quite concerned about it", answered Taiyu, glancing at him. "Of course, anyone would be concerned for the people", said Xunyang with a look of worry on his face. "Very well, follow me", said Taiyu as they flashed off instantly.
As things were unfolding, Arceus went to his legion barracks, which housed the Eternal Scientific Division, a department that links to the Ministry of Works, but remains under separate command and is under the direct control of Arceus.
(Eternal Scientific Division)
(Xuanfang Tower)
"Lord Arceus arrives!" announces a servant as Arceus enters his personal office on the top floor of the tower. "My Lord", said his attendant as he rushed to Arceus' side. "I am fine", said Acreus as he walked up 5 steps of stairs towards a platform that looked like a flat terrace with a seat on it, that has a view across the entire Capital, and he sat on it. "No one interrupts me", he ordered as he released his inner force and entered a deep sleep-like state known as Eternal Rebirth Slumber. "Yes, my lord", said the attendant and exited the chamber.
(Eternal Forest)
At the Eternal forest Jinxi's and Zhinu's barrier broke and scattered. They immediately try to contain the shadow horde. "We have to do something about the Portal-link, or we can't stop the shadow horde", said Jinxi as he struggles to maintain his side of the barrier, but he reinforces it. "Yes, but these shadows make it really difficult to get to it. We first have to deal with them", instructed Zhinu as he reinforced his side of the barrier.
As they maintained the barrier, Chang'an and the rest of the group arrived, "What the...", said Gu Nan in shock as he looked out at the scene in front of him. "Brother!" shouted Chang'an as she saw him struggling, "No, stay back!", commanded Zhinu as he did not want him to get hurt by getting involved, "All of you listen up, help us maintain the barrier until reinforcements arrive", instructed Zhinu.
"Yes!", Ying Pu and Gu Nan leaped forward and enforced the barrier. "Brother?" asked Mu Yuan as he glanced at the others reinforcing the barrier, "Your Highness, this does not concern you, and if anything were to happen to you, my Father would be able to explain it to the Heavenly Emperor", said Chang'an as she reasoned with Mu Xuan.
"Yes, I know, Princess, but the lives of many innocent people are at risk", said Mu Xuan as he calmly smiled at her and looked at Mu Yuan to act by nodding at him, "Yes elder brother", said Mu Yuan and they together reinforced the barrier with the others. "Your Highness, thank you", said Zhinu as he saw them helping, giving a nod of gratitude. "When will the reinforcements arrive?" asked Chang'an to herself as she watched the others maintain the barrier.
As the children maintain the barrier stopping the shadow horde from flooding the Eternal Capital, elsewhere Jinhui was making an unexpected visit.
(Hou Palace)
(Taiji Hall)
"Do you think it is related to that?" asked Changchen (Prince of Chun City and Head of the Chen Clan) with a concerned look on his face, "No but one cannot be for certain", answered Anwu (Third Eldar) as took the cup filled with tea and drank it, "Good", said Auwu as he complimented Changchen on the tea he made and he smiled.
"Prince of Su arrives!!" announced their servant. "What is he doing here?" asked Changchen, surprised, looking at Anwu. "I don't know" he replied, and looked at their butler, but he shook his head.
As Jinhui entered the hall, Anwu and Changchen stood up to greet him, and they walked towards him. "Greetings, Prince of Su", said Changchen and Anwu in a confused tone, "Greetings, Third Eldar, and greetings, Your Highness", said Jinhui as he noticed their surprised and confused looks and reactions. "Sorry to come here unannounced, but I come by order of the emperor", explained Jinhui, putting their minds at ease. "Ahhh, I understand", said Anwu, relieved.
"I carry a verbal decree", said Jinhui, and both of them and everyone else kneeled.
"
"Yes, your majesty", acknowledge both Anwu and Changchen as they stood up from the ground. "Prince of Su, have you brought the key?" asked Anwu stoically. "Key?", said Jinhui, confused. "I wasn't told I needed a key". "Yes, you do, the only way to enter the Imperial Archive is to have a direct member of the Imperial family to open the door", explained Anwu sternly.
"That's why I am here", said Su Ying as she entered the hall, "Sorry, I am late, my brother only informed me of this a moment ago."