94 Gathering

A few months after Valara and Ara fought against Leviathan the various major powers sent envoys to express their stance. Among those who sent representatives, the Setting Sun caused the most uproar by sending emissary Ryan Trist and Elder from the Setting Sun Fraction. The others included Elder Elwin of the Snow Wind Fraction, the newly promoted Grand Elder Malire and Elder Shadow that Silver Moon introduced representing the Rising Tide now going by Beast Union. A name they choose after Malire told them about the Beast Nation back on Planet Rey.

The emissary from the Blue Stone Guards was their leader a middle age Elder named Eldrin Voss, this caused the Elder from the Setting Sun to have an ugly expression on his face.

Standing around a table these Elders each had a group of youths behind them, along with trusted advisers and those with diplomatic and relationship creating talents. Within the Grand Hall of Planet Rey's Thousand Empress Palace these Major Powers were devoid of all former arrogance, everywhere they went around the Planet they could see great change. Schools and military academies were widespread throughout the Planet, massive foundations of government with robust medical facilities.

They could see many youths running around in light blue lab coats, military uniforms and everyday casual attire filing into the many buildings. The massive military and acceptance of those pursuing a career in the military was a shock to these Elders. Most people pursuing power choose to become independent or joined Sect's or schools that would not place to many restrictions yet every Sect, Family Clan or Regional power built and trained youths for the military.

Disbelief was written all over their faces, no place under their rule or the rule of their fraction was completely united as one whole. They had many sub fractions that would fight and kill each other competing Major powers that would try their best to replace them at a moments notice. This place before them was so foreign that instead of talking about their reason for being here they wished to learn how the entire planet worked together as a whole to find a way to mimic this system.

Tia was happy to fill them in on how she applied the various systems and rules from Teress the realm she originally came from, Sophia, Samara and Tia were delighted that their work in shaping a working system of governing the planet was well received by the visiting powers.

Every former major power was absorbed into the Dragon Empires military and put under its control, each power then sent in talents and leaders to represent them individually. Every 4 months each power would battle each other for rankings in a tournament, if they were out in active duty during the ranking tournament they would hold their current rank until they finished their military mission.

Another way to increase their respective Clans or Sects power and influence in the Empire was to marry into the Royal Family which many found was a easy and simple task given the Emperor's lust. No matter if said Clan or Sect was previously viewed badly once they sent over a female member their power and influence skyrocketed them into the core workings of the Empire.

Many followed this example with varying success, those powers who sent in women who hated being treated as a pawn got destroyed once she married the Emperor and gained power. Seeing how this could backfire many choose their candidates for marriage carefully, this also cause a fierce internal competition for being the one selected to marry into the Royal Family.

The last method was to carry out missions assigned by the Emperor, Empire's military or those of the Royal Family itself, this was the most rewarding of the options besides the ranking tournament.

Various missions included assassinations, escorting and guarding diplomatic delegations to newly conquered planets and sending out forces along with the Military to conquer targeted planets that have yet to surrender. Many of the highly ranked Clans and Sects that gained the Empires trust were given control of entire Planets, they still had to be obedient to the Empire but who would not try their best to gain a Planet to govern.

The Clans or Sects that managed to gain control of even one Planet became one of the Superpowers that carried massive weight in the Empire, even being able to regularly meet with Tia, Samara and Sophia that managed most of the Empire and Planets laws. They even gained the most sought after privilege which is to send their children to the massive hidden world in the Thousand Empress PalaceNew Teress to be groomed personally by Empress Valara.

This was a great honor many fought over, utilising every means to gain the valuable slots of entry into the world Governed by the Dragon Clan. It is said that the protectors of New Teress were all at the God of Destruction realm, Gods of Creation tried their best but the Gods of Destruction outnumbered them in applying to become protectors thus only a handful of Gods of Creation managed to gain the right to live on New Teress as a protector.

....

Within the Grand Hall plate after plate of delicacies were served to the various Elders as they ate, conversing about the various workings and laws within Planet Rey and the other worlds under the Dragon Empires control. They tried their best gain possession of the Teleportation Gates that linked each world to each other, Tia teased these as 'advantages' that would come to those within the Dragon Empire.

The Grand Hall was full of others as well that are here to participate in the negotiations and talks, these were the various powers that had either married into power or worked their way up the ladder in the Empire.

The Emissaries looked around and inspected the powerful and influential people here only to beawed that many if not all were Pathless Gods and a large number of them Gods of Creation/Destruction. They could not even gauge the power of the Empresses which caused them to sweat in panic, they quickly asked Malire as they knew she was one of Dashnells wives.

"Recently many of us underwent training under Valara's 'watchful' gaze, when we heard about this meeting we rushed back and entered a time manipulation training chamber until you arrived." She said with a wide smile on her face as she glared at Elder Ryan.

The Elders once again sucked in their breaths hearing Time manipulation training chamber but before they could ask for details which they were sure Tia was willing to tell them about an Elder seated at another table spoke first.

"Dear Empress I know that this meeting was called to deal with those from the other Major Regions but we are all here for the Ranking Tournament that is in a months time. We heard Lady Valara herself would be giving out rewards and taking in another batch of disciples from the Tournament this time around? Is this true!!?" Said one of the Elders that was sent by his Clan, many of the other Elders made sure to listen and this also caught the attention of the Emissaries.

Hearing this the Emissaries perked up, they each brought youths along with them and they would make sure not to miss out on this opportunity before them. Seeing the Emissaries become interested in his words the Elder had a look of disdain on his face but did not voice it out, he knew they were guest and some among them might end up become influential powers just like Empress Malire.

Among the Elders here were some who would voice their words towards the Emissaries as their power and influence in the Empire ranked near the top.

"This is a Ranking Tournament that is for those Within the Empire, how dare you plan to participate keep your desires within this Grand Hall!" This Elder was always arrogant as both his daughters were part of the Royal Family and he was a General in the Empire that had trained thousands of soldiers for the military.

Both his daughters were Tia's assistance gaining him even more influence in the military, yet he knew he could never abuse it or he would end up becoming an example and he did not want that he was around when the forgotten Church was wiped out.

Just as he was about to continue his rant another person spoke up and to his surprise it was one of the 'new' Empresses Malarie.

"Shut up Elder Trent Dashnell has already given the ok if they wish to participate in the Ranking Tournament! Why do you think they arrived only a month away from it?" Said Malarie with a smirk on her face as she stood up for the other Emissaries that turned pale thinking they would be forced to miss such an opportunity.

"If the Emperor allows them to join who am I to turn them away. Lady Malarie please don't take my words to heart, I just wanted to push them a little they were after all former enemies of the Empire."

Pausing for a moment he remembered why he personally came to this meeting instead of sending his sons like always.

"Ah!! Lady Malarie could you also inform my daughters about their children!! I am reaching a breaking point and can no longer restrain them." He said wiping sweat from his head.

Standing up after hearing his words was Samara who had a look of delight on her face.

"Elder Trent how could you not report this matter to me! I am hurt that you do not think that I could handle my sisters children, as her children are mine and mine are hers! Why don't the two of us pay those unruly children a visit after we finish this boring meeting." Said Samara with a villainous smile plastered on her face.

Elder Trent went from being distressed to overjoyed, many found it odd that he was delighted that Samara who obviously had bad intentions towards said children was going help him with his problem. Looking at Malarie shake her head they knew not to ask and that was when Elder Elwin chimed in as he seemed to sense 'opportunity'.