"He brought peace to the table. Someone brought poison to the wine."
---
Scene 1 — The Grand Peace Banquet
CorePalace's Central Dome was a marvel—transparent ceilings stretching to the stars, neon lanterns floating like captured fireflies, and AI-assisted orchestras weaving melodies that danced between tradition and future-tech.
Zayden stood at the heart of it all, the host of a peace banquet unlike any other.
Kings and emperors from every continent sat at tables they'd never imagined, each place setting a bridge between eras.
The future was served.
Burgers sizzling beside sushi conveyor belts. Drinks glowing in color-coded glassware.
A burly medieval king picked up a burger, eyes wide with disbelief.
"This… this meat is inside bread?"
Zayden laughed, raising his glass with a smirk.
"That's called a burger, your majesty. It's how the future holds its power—between two buns."
Confused murmurs turned to laughter and curious bites.
At a nearby table, a noblewoman bit into ice cream and suddenly started crying.
"It's cold but it's… sweet?! Is this sorcery?!"
Zayden passed by, grinning.
"Nah. Just science and poor impulse control."
He was in his element—charming, laughing, shaking hands, and walking like he owned the timeline.
His suit shimmered with glowing seams, lev-magnet heels humming softly.
A queen's eyes followed him.
"Are all men from the future this… intoxicating?"
Zayden's smile deepened.
"No. Most are boring. I just came here to mess with time and your expectations."
---
Scene 2 — Enter: Lady Seraphine
Among the guests stood Lady Seraphine of Virelyn—mysterious, sharp-eyed, deadly with daggers, and political royalty wrapped in velvet shadows.
She approached Zayden, glass of wine in hand, her voice silk over steel.
"You offer peace to all, but power only to yourself. Is that future justice?"
Zayden sipped his glowing drink without hesitation.
"Justice is overrated. I offer free Wi-Fi and eternal youth smoothies. Let the people choose."
She smiled, intrigued.
He handed her a tablet.
"Touchscreen. Like flirting, but more productive."
---
Scene 3 — Hidden Tension
Mid-conversation, a ping sounded softly in Zayden's earpiece.
M.A.I.A.: "Unregistered tech signature detected. Table twelve. Heat spike suggests cloaked relic… possibly Annunaki-made."
Zayden's smile didn't falter, but his eyes sharpened.
"Looks like the party's about to get spicy."
---
Scene 4 — The Attempted Assassination
As the crowd toasted "The Future Empire of Earth," a royal scribe slipped a hand beneath his robe.
From the shadows, a blade hummed with anti-time energy—a weapon not of this Earth.
He lunged at Zayden.
Screams erupted.
The orchestra fell silent.
In a blur, Zayden dodged, then flung his glowing fork like a dagger.
THUNK.
The blade clattered to the floor—struck between the assassin's knuckles.
Zayden grabbed him by the collar, grinning.
"You brought a knife to a space banquet?"
Leaning close, voice low and deadly.
"Wanna guess how many ways I can un-exist you?"
The assassin's eyes widened, blood dripping.
"He's watching… the one buried under the Earth… he knows what you're building…"
Guards dragged the assassin away.
Zayden turned to the stunned crowd.
"So… who else wants to kill me before dessert?"
Silence.
Then the room exploded into applause.
"Long live Zayden!"
"The Future King!"
"All hail the Burger Sorcerer!"
---
Scene 5 — Aftermath: The Glitch Grows
Back in the CoreChambers, Zayden and Lyra examined the assassin's weapon.
Its metal pulsed with void residue.
Engravings matched the earliest Annunaki symbology—the forbidden race Zayden swore never to touch.
Lyra's voice was cold.
"You've made yourself a target."
Zayden looked out over CoreCity, sprawling and glowing with life.
"Good. Let them come."
He smiled.
"I gave them burgers and music. They gave me loyalty."
He clenched his fist.
"Now I give them an empire."
---
Scene 6 — Closing Twist: A Rift Opens
Far beneath the planet, deep in ancient catacombs…
A shrine pulsed with power.
The relic's activation echoed through stone and bone.
A shadow whispered from a sealed vault:
"The boy of sparks has touched the line of fate."
"Release the first Draconian Warden."
Stone cracked.
Massive breath rumbled in the dark.
---
End of Chapter 13.
Next chapter:-Chapter 14: The First Draconian...