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of her daily activities had become a chore rather than enjoyment. After ten thousand joyful years at the helm of the Empire, Iana had come to wonder if the Harbinger had foretold the end of her reign as the cryptic prophecy read. She couldn’t see the outcome of this as the lines of fate and future - once clear to her visions - had become murky and muddled. Aen had done much more than save humanity and she wondered if he hadn’t been the spark that burned the entire Empire to the ground. Soon after arriving home, she had felt the darkness growing on the horizon as the shadows had begun to creep into the light.
    It was bound to have happened; she had been gone for so long that whispers had grown in the dark and become ideas. Iana felt the change in behaviors before most even knew she noticed. The subtle hints of dissension from those who up until now, had been loyal to no end. The storm was on the horizon and loomed large in her future. Iana wondered how long she would wait before it crashed upon her. She had begun to retreat within the palace; cancelling appearances and limiting the ones she was mandated to, as done through holo-links. Her world felt like it was coming apart, yet she was bound to show composure and poise up to the very end!
    All of this because of Aen; his wake left shockwaves that rattled the entire universe to its core. No one had imagined the power of the gods could live in the body of a physical being, but his birth had changed everything. Some wanted the weapon to hold proudly and ward off the threats from the Husk and other menaces out there; others simply wanted to possess such a being as a trophy. As tempting as both those things were; and the thoughts that through him she could retain her crown forever; she wanted nothing but Aen’s happiness and freedom. This is why she had Bryx find him before anyone else could and why she kept him hidden in the one place no one would ever look. The rest of the Empire thought Aen was dead or lost to the outer reaches of nothingness; Iana wanted nothing more than to keep it that way.
    And then there was the matter of the new inclusion to the Empire; Terra Sol or Earth as the humans called it. It was a heated debate if they even were worthy of such an honor, yet Terra Sol was one of the most desirable destinations in the galaxy. It had become a supply line to the outer reaches of the Empire as it was the only Imperial world out in the far reaches. Now it was a central hub for defence, supplies and leisure. Only Havyiin was more sought after as a resort world than Terra Sol; tourism traffic was monumental in the new world’s income and along with some of the riches mining resources stretched throughout the Sol system. Iana wondered if some were thinking about a takeover if Earth wasn’t a part of the Council.
    But Terra Sol would be conquered by no one, not after barely surviving their encounter with the Husk. The defence network was second to none as the PA cannon ring was operational within the year following the attack. Along with an orbital cannon network and a dual docking system; larger ships were ordered to dock at the Mars interlink station and people shuttled or ferried to the planet to run through security. It was the most secured and safe planet in the Empire, save for Havyiin itself! There were even rumors of Terra Sol developing a warship in secret, but their Council - Sara Foster - had shot those rumors down repeatedly when asked. The only ship development they had were luxury cruise liners for sight-seeing the great wonders of the Sol system and Iana was inclined to believe her young protégé.
    Iana was proud of the humans; throughout such destruction they had risen to great heights and overcome near extinction to become a jewel in the Empire. Though some resented them, their Council had stood tall and proud; backing down from no one in the Council sessions. Sara Foster was fierce in her beliefs; Terra Sol would take second seat to no one in her