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There is a story passed amongst tribes of the 7 kingdoms. A story of how the palace of white marble city was built. According to the tale, there existed a world before this. A world well populated with men. Men who heartlessly destroyed the earth and drove animals to extinction. Not because they needed to survive but for fun. They caused harm to themselves and turned their blackened hearts unto the earth. God was angry. He had enough of it. He blessed them and in return the humans had failed to cherish it. So he came to the earth himself, along with Howl and Kira, to lay waste to all that existed both man, animal and plants. As long as it lived, it died. And all that was built was reduced to dust, and all that was created ceased to exist.

After the complete eradication, the earth was rejuvenated. Streams flowed where there were none, mountains rose on once flat lands. Lush flora grew on every surface and all kinds of fauna existed. The earth was filled with life again. She was young like she once was. Beautiful and unsoiled. And with aid from Howl and Kira, God populated the earth with humans once again...And in the centre of it all, He took upon himself to build the white marble palace which in the capital and placed upon the throne a young boy of barely 12 who united the 7 kingdoms and all tribes... The Emperor.

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“Old-man Ioran”

Loran, the first emperor of the white marble palace, sat at in his private garden gazing thoughtlessly at the stars.

“OLD-MAN IORAN” louder this time. Ioran turned, the voice belonged to his third great-grand son, Lorn, a deadly cute child he was although they could have done a better job with his name. It was a pitiful thing his mother had done to him, giving him such a cold name on her deathbed as though she meant to hunt him for the rest of his life. Indeed, poor Lorn was hunted and he was truly alone in the palace. Though, all children of the palace are considered to be offspring of the empress they could still feel love from their mothers, the concubines of the emperor, often being pampered and receiving gifts from them. Not Lorn. He had no mother and the royal parents were expected to be impartial towards all the children, poor Lorn could not be favoured, not by his parents anyway.

Ioran, however, was a different case. He loved the boy to death. No, not out of pity, but for the fact that he could only ever see himself in the boy. At barely 7 years of age, Lorn had shown great wisdom and talented in every aspect of his life. He dealt with every problem with such maturity that it astounded even the wise men of the palace... that is if one would consider those bumbling idiots wise.

Yes, he showed more talent than I at the age of 12 when I became the emperor. But that was 300 years ago. I am nothing but an old man now. The head of a council of elders that holds no real power. How amusing, to think I was once the most powerful man that existed. I have been cast aside by my useless sons, who seem to have sworn to destroy 120 years of my life with their egotistical foolishness. He thought to himself. Not this child though, this child is different. Outstanding. He can correct the errors of his worthless fathers.

“Lorn, my boy. What brings you here?”

“I just finished my dinner and wondered where you were. What are you doing out in the cold?” He asked. A curious child he is.

“Come. Sit and watch the stars with me. This old man is expecting a very important guest tonight. Will you wait with me?”

Lorn seemed a little shy, glancing around timidly.

“Of course. I don’t have anything else to do.” He quietly placed himself on his old man’s lap. Ioran stifled a quiet laugh.

He must have been lonely. He can’t be blamed. This is usually the when children of the palace spend time with their mothers. He could have been adopted and cared for by another concubine but they are probably too scared as he could easily outshine their own offspring. Things would become very difficult for him soon. My poor boy. There is really nothing I can do for you but this... His thoughts trailed off. It was about time now. Soon... very soon.

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