Sovereign Ascendant

The office of Praetor Varro was not what most would expect from a man who had waged war across the stars.

It was not built from polished steel or adorned with golden banners of conquest. There were no war trophies displayed, no ceremonial blades mounted on the walls.

Instead, it was a space of quiet and nature.

The walls were lined with dark wood, infused with Qi to remain eternally smooth, the scent of aged cedar and fresh earth filling the air. Large, open windows let in the golden light of Prime Terra's twin suns, casting warm shadows across the stone floors.

At the center of the room, resting on an intricately carved wooden desk, was a small garden of luminous flowers—each petal glowing faintly, their colors shifting between deep turquoise and soft silver.

Gaius stood at the entrance, watching as Varro carefully watered one of them.

The flower's delicate petals trembled under his touch, absorbing the moisture, its glow pulsing like a heartbeat.

Varro did not speak immediately.

He simply tended to the plant, his movements slow, methodical.

Gaius had seen him command Legions, break enemies with a single command, stand unyielding on the battlefield.

But here, he was different.

Controlled. Measured.

A man who understood when to wield force, and when to let things grow.

Finally, Varro set the watering can aside, glancing up.

"Luminis Tenger."

Gaius raised a brow. "The flower?"

Varro nodded, leaning back into his chair. "They only grow here, in the Imperial Capital. The name comes from Old Terra and the Sky Lords of the East." He traced a finger along one of the petals. "They absorb Qi from the air, never needing soil. If you cut them, they survive. If you burn them, they regrow. Only if you crush them completely do they die."

His gaze flickered to Gaius. "Much like men."

Gaius didn't miss the meaning behind the words.

Varro gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit."

Gaius complied. The seat was sturdy, built for function rather than comfort, much like everything in the Imperium.

Varro studied him for a long moment. Then, finally, he spoke.

"You've grown stronger."

It was not a question.

Gaius exhaled. "Stronger than before. Not strong enough."

Varro smirked. "It's never enough. That's why we keep going." He picked up a small cloth, carefully wiping his hands before setting it aside. "You must have sensed it, then."

Gaius' expression darkened. "That Velos V wasn't an accident."

Varro nodded. "It wasn't."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Varro leaned forward, folding his hands together.

"Your father had enemies."

Gaius said nothing.

"You already know this," Varro continued. "But what you may not have realized is that after his death, those enemies turned their attention to you."

Gaius kept his voice even. "Then why did they leave me alone?"

Varro met his gaze. "Because I let them have one chance."

The air in the room shifted.

Gaius didn't move, but his body tensed instinctively.

Varro's expression remained unreadable. "You were a soldier, nothing more. As long as you remained beneath their notice, they didn't see a reason to waste effort on you."

Gaius' jaw tightened. "But I survived."

"You did." Varro leaned back. "And by doing so, you ended their one opportunity."

Gaius exhaled, dragging a hand down his face. "So now they'll come again."

"They will."

There was no anger in Varro's tone. No regret.

Only certainty.

Gaius clenched his fists. "Who?"

Varro didn't answer immediately. He reached for the Luminis Tenger, gently running a hand over its glowing petals.

Then he said, "Your father's rivals. Senators, Generals. Some who fought him in the Hundred-Year Ring. Others who feared what he might become."

Gaius' breath stilled.

"The Ring…"

Varro nodded. "You already know what it is. The gladiatorial arena where those of Legatus rank and higher fight for treasures, power, land." His gaze sharpened. "Your father was a commoner. He had no noble blood, no wealth, no legacy. And yet, he fought his way through that Ring, winning again and again. Taking what was meant to be beyond his reach."

Gaius didn't speak.

His father had never talked about those battles.

Only that he had fought, and that he had won.

Varro continued. "And then, finally, they set the match against the Imperial Elves."

Gaius felt something in his chest tighten.

Varro's voice lowered. "It was an ambush. He was meant to die there. And he did."

Silence.

Then, Varro exhaled. "But what they didn't expect was you. A commoner's son who climbed through the Legion's ranks faster than any noble-born officer. A soldier who was too good at surviving. A name that started to become known."

Gaius exhaled sharply. "So they had the tunnels collapse."

Varro nodded. "A well-placed detonation. No survivors. No evidence. Just another casualty of war."

His fingers curled around the stem of the Luminis Tenger.

"But you didn't die. And that changes everything."

—

The conversation shifted.

Varro set the flower down, his expression turning thoughtful. "They won't attack openly. Not yet. Not while you remain under my command. But eventually, they'll make their move. Which is why I'm giving you an alternative."

Gaius frowned. "What kind of alternative?"

Varro exhaled. "I want you to join the Imperial Flame Sect."

The name alone carried weight.

The greatest military academy in the Imperium.

A place where nearly every Imperator had trained.

And where the Crown Prince himself resided.

Gaius narrowed his eyes. "And what would my role be?"

"You won't be attending as a soldier."

Varro leaned forward.

"You'll be entering as the attendant of my younger brother."

Gaius stilled.

Varro's voice was calm. "The Varro Family is the Imperium's greatest merchant house. We supply the Legions, outfit the armies, build the very weapons that keep the Imperium standing." His eyes darkened. "But my brother—he's reckless. Brilliant, but reckless. He lacks patience, and in a place like the Flame Sect, he will make enemies."

Gaius' lips curled. "And I'm supposed to keep him alive?"

"Not just alive," Varro said. "You'll keep him from ruining himself. And in return, you'll have a place beyond the reach of those who would see you dead."

Silence.

Then, finally, Varro smirked. "And besides…"

He gestured at Gaius' frame. "You're already strong. But you need to be more. And the Flame Sect?"

His voice was certain.

"It will forge you into something even they will fear."

Gaius exhaled.

And the weight of the future settled onto his shoulders.