Apocalypse Cheater-Chapter 273: The Summit Part 1

[: 3rd POV :]

In the morning sky above the Human Empire burned gold, lit by the twin suns that heralded both dawn and omen.

From the highest balcony, one could see the horizon dressed in banners of light.

The imperial fleet hovered in silent formation across the skies twelve skyships forged from sacred steel and laced with arcane runes, each a floating fortress fit for kings.

But within the palace, the air was far from triumphant.

It was quiet, tensed and Focused.

Daniel stood before a full-length mirror in a ceremonial cloak of deep obsidian and silver filigree.

It was mantle traditionally reserved for the Commander of the Imperial Vanguard.

Yet the weight it bore now was not just armor, but responsibility.

Behind him, Bella stepped through the doors.

Her hair, woven with starlight silk and braided with subtle runes, shimmered as she moved.

Unlike the elaborate dresses of court, she wore a tailored travel-gown laced with mana-resistant threads something fit for both diplomacy and danger.

"You look like a prince in a storybook," she said softly.

Daniel glanced at her reflection beside his, a brief smile curling at his lips.

"You look like someone who belongs on the front page of that story."

She rolled her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her.

A knock echoed at the chamber doors.

"Enter," Bella called.

Queen Elia strode in, her presence composed as ever cold elegance in motion, draped in a regal robe carved from enchanted ice threads.

Jason followed, armored in sunforged gold, his cloak billowing like a lion's mane.

"We leave in an hour," Elia announced.

"The Imperial Army is ready. All diplomatic envoys have been briefed, and your personal guard has been doubled."

Jason eyed Daniel with a meaningful nod.

"You're with us, not just as a guardian, but as a presence and part of us. That alone will shake the room."

Daniel bowed slightly. "I'll do whatever is needed."

Jason stepped closer, his tone quieter now. "And if anything goes wrong… don't wait for command."

Elia's eyes narrowed with the wisdom of someone who had seen nations rise and fall.

"The Summit will be a stage—but behind the curtain, there will be knives. Some hidden in words, others in hands."

Bella looked between her parents, then at Daniel. "They're warning you, but they forget something."

Daniel raised a brow. "And what's that?"

"That you're the blade people fear now," she said with a teasing smirk.

Jason chuckled, shaking his head. "She's not wrong. Still… even the sharpest blade can rust in politics."

Daniel's voice was calm. "Then I'll stay sharp. For all of you."

Elia turned toward the tall windows, her gaze sweeping over the imperial garden below.

"We face not just kings and queens… but entities older than nations. Dragons. Spirits. Beasts of land and sea."

"And rumors of them" Jason added darkly.

The word was not spoken, but all understood.

Bella's eyes dimmed for a moment. "You believe they'll make a move?"

Elia answered, voice almost a whisper. "They already have. Their shadow stains the mana flow. The Oracle of Spirits confirmed it."

Jason gave a grim nod. "Whatever happens, this Summit may decide whether our world holds...or falls"

Bella stepped beside Daniel, her fingers grazing his hand. "Then let's make sure it holds."

Daniel looked to her, then to the King and Queen. "Don't worry, if anything I will protect you."

Bella's expression softened. Just a little. "Then let us depart."

With that, the royal family turned, cloaks trailing like banners of prophecy behind them.

As they stepped into the lift chamber toward the upper docks, the skyships hummed to life, mana cores igniting like twin stars.

The air shimmered with incantations.

The banners of the Human Empire unfurled into the wind.

And overhead, the sky opened wide for the journey to the Summit of the World.

And somewhere, far from sight but not from fate, the Ghost watched with eyes unseen.

Their return had begun.

Within the colossal halls of Astral Vale, a summit unlike any in a century had taken shape.

The Summit of the World where peace was to be measured, tested, and possibly shattered—had begun.

One by one, the Rulers of continents arrived, each entering with the weight of their ancient legacies.

Yet despite their arrival, there was a noticeable tension lingering in the air.

They had arrived...all except the humans.

In one of the throne carved by stones of hell fluttered with heatless fire.

The Demon King, Malgrath laughter was low, cruel, and filled with hidden mockery.

"Hah. Still no sign of the humans?" he drawled, the crown of burning thorns flickering as he leaned forward.

"I knew it, they have been this way since the beginning of time and all they want is attentin"

Beside him, Princess Vaelira narrowed her crimson eyes toward the empty platform of the Human Empire.

"They're not just late… they're stalling. Either for arrogance or drama," she said, voice laced with curiosity and a whisper of threat.

"Perhaps they want us to remember who comes last… and why."

Besides them, the Dragon Queen Zytheria rested her massive wings behind her transformed body, her voice a rumble that made the pillars tremble.

"Still absent," she murmured, molten gold dripping from her claws.

"The world's youngest race dares to make the oldest wait?" She voiced.

Her son, Prince Kaidros, in his humanoid form, stood beside her, arms folded and gaze sharp.

"Or perhaps they intend to test how long dragons can tolerate silence before they burn down the stage."

"Are they asking for trouble?" The Dragon Queen questioned.

On the leafy throne draped in blossoms and light, Queen Amelyria of the Elves sat while she taps the throne arms with her fingers.

"Such disrespect," she whispered softly, though her voice reached all corners of the Summit.

"Have the humans forgotten that this is not their court?"

Her daughter, Evlia, narrowed her gaze.

"They've not forgotten. But rather, they forget their positions. I think it's been too long since they forgot about the aftermath of their loss"

Prince Thelian, holding an open tome that contains words of magic, closed it with a sigh.

"This is no accident. They want us watching. They want us wondering."

Among emerald thrones carved from sacred roots, Chieftain Rhogar of the Beastfolk exhaled through his nose, the air thick with displeasure.

"I should've stayed in the forest," he growled. "Human has always been the troublemaker and if this is not them purposely delaying the time, then what is it?"

His daughter, Ralla, sharpened a claw idly. "Perhaps they believed that they are the storm now. They just haven't arrived to show it."

Rinn, ever calm, simply said, "Let us observe. Silence is not always absence. Sometimes it's preparation."

On another throne made from precious materials, High King Brohm of the Giants who have reduced his size to a human size, leaned forward, golden beard gleaming under sunlight pouring from the summit dome.

"Late again, those little ones," he grunted, his voice like mountain rock grinding. "Is it arrogance or fear?"

Princess Yrna twirled her massive blade once, resting it against the floor with a grin. "Maybe they're waiting for us to start fighting each other before making an entrance."

Brohm chuckled. "Now that would be clever."

On another hand, the Abyssal Sea Queen Lysantheof the Deep Court folded her hands.

"They dance with the tide," she mused. "Late. But not unintentional."

Princess Nerith, eyes glowing like deep currents, murmured, "The seas echoes have been stirred. Something follows their path—something vast. I can feel it even from the abyss."

On another throne, where floating winds blew and hovered midair, King Aurion of the Sky Realm rested on a cloud-throne of sapphire mist, his presence aloof, regal.

"Humans test patience," he said, brushing invisible dust from his silver sleeve. "And then expect applause for doing so."

Prince Veyle, wind-swept and silent, studied the skies above. "Or maybe… this time, they arrive as something new."

On another throne created from Elements itself, Lord Pyros, Lady Aeira, Lord Riea and Lord Earia only observed the situation and they never made any comments.

Within the veiled mists throne, where no ground touched reality, the High Oracle sat cross-legged with her face covered in veil.

Her daughter, Serene, turned her gaze toward the human platform.

"Even the spirits hold their breath. Their arrival is not merely a delay… it's a ripple in time."

The Oracle's lips moved faintly. "He comes with more than footsteps. He brings with him things not meant to walk among kings…"

"?" All of them who heard the Oracle couldn't help but question her words.

"What do you mean High Oracle?" The Demon King questioned with curiosity.

"I'm afraid even I have no idea, but...the person whom the Humans have brought along...is unordinary and that is all I know" She replied.

"Well, whether or not the person they brought along is special is something for us to find out"

Rhodgar said.