Aftermath & Fear
Philip said he's was returning to Lagos, but instead goes to Enugu to hide, fearing he'd endanger his family.
In Enugu, Philip checks into a hotel, locks himself in, and starts examining the treasure. The crown is particularly interesting. When he tries it on, it pierces his skin, drawing blood. He collapses.
He doesn't hear it, but the whole world receives a mysterious message:
"An Imperialist Candidate has been found. The process of proof shall now begin."
The gem embedded in the crown pulsed once—softly, like the heartbeat of a sleeping titan—and with that pulse, the world changed.
A ripple of unseen energy burst from Philip's unconscious form, radiating outward like the silent shockwave of a celestial bell struck by the hand of fate. It passed through walls, across cities, under oceans, and beyond continents. But more than that—it slipped into the seams of reality.
In distant mountains, long-dormant runes etched into ancient stones began to glow faintly.
In deep underground vaults buried beneath cities, beings once sealed away stirred in their prisons. Some snarled. Others whispered names in forgotten tongues—names of emperors past, and of the heir to come.
In Vatican archives, scrolls sealed in obsidian cases unfurled on their own, revealing lines of prophecy inked in molten gold. A senior cardinal reading them fell to his knees, weeping, as the words shifted: "A wooden crown... a red gem... the second dawn of dominion."
In Nigeria, where spiritual traditions ran deep and old magic still slumbered beneath the surface of modern life, elders of the six supernatural families each jolted awake at the same moment. They didn't need to speak. They felt it. One of the imperial palaces had chosen someone. The balance had tilted.
Across the astral plane, where time is fluid and dreams bleed into other realities, watchers long thought dead opened their hollow eyes.
The choice had been made.
Yet, no one knew who the chosen was—not yet. Only that the imperial crown had once again bonded with a mortal host. And that meant only one thing: a new emperor had been born.
This message is heard across 12 different major worlds and millions of minor worlds, throwing religious groups and secret organizations into a frenzy. It's been millions of years since an emperor ruled the 12 worlds. Some believe the missing emperor is still alive—others want to crown a new one