Reverse Chronicles

The Emperor

Four days after returning to Xanvaldrea, I received summons from the emperor. General Wisterion and his army were victorious in slaying the hydra and as the retrievers of the Eye of Xinfonia, Syrena and I were to receive rewards from the emperor himself. The entire Academy watched us as we entered the carriage that was taking us to the palace.

“I can’t believe it,” I exclaim rereading the invitation from the emperor. “We are receiving rewards from the emperor himself. I wonder what he is like?”

“He is said to be also from another world,” Syrena answers. “Like you, when he arrived, he had this strange power as if he could do anything that he wished.”

That’s right, the emperor is from another world like me. I wonder if he knows the way back to our world.

“I see,” I reply. “Have you received rewards before this one?”

“No, this is actually my first time going to the imperial palace.”

“I wonder what we will receive?”

“Its tradition that we receive a decorated sword, an increase in court rank, and land or gold,” Syrena answers. “But, since we are just Squires, I wonder what he’ll give us.”

The carriage arrives in front of the palace. When we arrived, General Wisterion and another general have also arrived at the same time.

“It’s Wisterion,” I turn to him as he gets out of his carriage. I walk to him and bow, “Congratulations on your successful mission, general!”

“Alan, at ease,” he walks toward the palace. “We have to thank you for that success. Come, the emperor awaits.”

When we enter the palace, a lot of palace officials, workers, and maids are running around. They all carried and transported plates, bowls, and utensils. A banquet is to be held at the outer palace gardens after the ceremony. Entering further, we make it to the inner palace where the imperial court is located.

Going inside the throne room, the entirety of the imperial court stood on the left and right sides. The throne stands opposite to the door. Every public official looks as we walk towards the throne. Wisterion and the other general stands the closes to the throne, while Syrena and I are right behind them.

“All bow, the great emperor of the might Sarcen Empire is entering,” a public official announces with such a great deep voice prompting everyone in the throne room to bow. “All hail, Emperor Cyrus K. Smith, the first of his name, the conqueror, the mighty, protector of the domains, guardian of the realm, father of the empire.”

Cyrus K. Smith? That is a very earthly name.

The emperor enters the room through a door beside the throne. Everyone maintains their bow, until the emperor has seated on the throne.

When I laid eyes on the man who established the Sarcen Empire, my mind becomes tumultuous. The emperor has hair that shines like the sun, which complements his tanned complexion. His blue eyes and pale pinkish-peach lips paired with his aquiline nose makes him a close comparison to Brad Pitt. His beard completes his look; the look of a middle-aged man who made it in another world.

“The highest awards are given to General Ginchiyo Takayama for the great service she has rendered to the empire, slaying the vicious hydra that has destroyed half of the great city of Morpheum,” the announcer reads from a book. “She will receive a decorated sword from the emperor, her court rank will increase by two, she will gain ownership of the lands in the Fleur, Pryche, and Myvial provinces, and will receive 2000 gold.”

The female general beside Wisterion walks toward the emperor. She kneels before him as he hands the decorated sword to her. The imperial court cheers for her success. Applauses fills the entire area, with occasional murmurs.

“Thank you, your majesty,” General Ginchiyo receives the sword and bows.

“The second highest awards are given to General Wisterion van Kealyn for the great service he has rendered to the empire, by aiding General Ginchiyo in slaying the hydra, which has destroyed half of the great city of Morpheum,” the announcer continues. “He will receive a decorated sword from the emperor, his court rank will increase by one, he will gain ownership of the Kealyn wastelands, and will receive 1000 gold.”

As Wisterion’s awards are announced, General Ginchiyo walks back to her post, not turning her back against the emperor. Wisterion replaces her and kneels before the emperor receiving another decorated sword. The imperial court fills with applause and cheers again.

“Thank you, your majesty,” Wisterion does the same as the person before him.

“That’s no surprise,” I hear the nearest courtier talk to the courtier beside him.

“The third highest award is given to Alan H. Lancaste, Squire of General Wisterion van Kealyn, and Syrena von Wilstrom, Squire of General Zenneif van Kealyn. They will each receive decorated swords from the emperor, their court ranks will increase by one, and will receive 500 gold.”

“Squires of the van Kealyn generals?” some courtiers gossip out loud. “As expected of the two, their Squires will have a bright future!”

I follow Syrena’s lead and kneels before the emperor. I receive the decorated sword from him thanking him upon receiving it.

“Great job for making it this far,” he suddenly whispers after giving the sword to me.

“That concludes the ceremony, to celebrate these four heroes, the emperor has planned a banquet in the outer palace gardens,” the announcer closes the book he reads from. “All are to proceed there.”

The entire body of courtiers exits the throne room in an orderly fashion. Wisterion and General Ginchiyo follow them as Syrena heads outside, too.

“Alan H. Lancaste,” the announcer catches up to me. “The emperor would like to have a word with you.”

I turn to the emperor who stood as he smiles to me. He waves his right hand signaling me to come over. Following his lead, he shows me to the gardens inside the inner palace.

“So, you’re Alan H. Lancaste? Or is that just an alias?” he opens the conversation waving to the ladies-in-waiting and palace maids as we pass by them.

“It’s just an alias, your majesty.”

“Please, Cyrus would be fine. You don’t have to be so formal to me, when we are talking privately.”

“It’s just an alias, Cyrus. My real name is Alyssa.”

“Alyssa?” he is taken aback stepping back because of his surprise. “Isn’t that a girl’s name?”

“Yes, I’m actually a girl.”

“You’re a girl? But no matter how I look at you, you are a boy.”

“I came into this world with a boy, and we kind of switched bodies when we arrived,” I reply.

“No way! Are you serious?” his face fills with a flabbergasted expression. “I did come here with a woman, but our bodies were not changed.”

“Where are you from, Cyrus? Where in Earth do you live?”

“Me? I’m from the European Union,” he answers.

“Yes, but which country in the European Union?”

“Country? The European Union is a country.”

“No, it is composed of countries like France, Germany, Italy. Which country are you from?”

“Oh, you mean regions? I’m from the Scandinavian Region.”

“Which country in Scandinavia?”

“What do you mean?”

Is he kidding? The European Union is not a country. France, Germany, and Italy are not regions, they are countries. What is he blabbering about?

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Cyrus scratches his head. “Did we win against the Pharsatians?”

“Phars…what?”

“Humanity and our allies are fighting against the Pharsatian Empire, right? Did we win?”

Oh no, could he be from another Earth, like another dimension? Or could he be from the future Earth?

“Cyrus, what year do you think it is on Earth?” I ask him.

 “I’ve been here for three years, so it must be 2546 on Earth.”

As I thought! He is from a future Earth.

“Cyrus, I’m from the Earth of 2021. The European Union is not a country but a union of European countries. France, Germany, and Italy are not regions, but countries. And we are not in war with the Pharsatians, whatever they are.”

“Oh, oh!” his face is full of shock. He pauses for a moment to regain his thoughts, looking at the pond in the middle of the garden. “So, you’re from a past Earth.”

“I am. This is unfathomable. You are someone from the future. What is the future like? Is the pandemic over?”

“Well I’m a galactic soldier back home fighting against the Pharsatians. They have conquered Saturn and are planning to annex Jupiter next. I was about to be sent to defend Jupiter, until I came to this place.”

Since Cyrus is from the future, I could not help but ask about a lot of things. From the technology to the political system of the future Earth, I am full of questions that have to be answered.

“How did you arrive here or came here?” I ask him.

“I was looking for Kate,” Cyrus answers. “Then, I found her at the library reading something. I interrupted her and slammed the page of the book. When I came to, I realized that I was in another world.”

“A book? The same thing happened to us. This is crazy!”

“Your majesty, the banquet is about to start, you must take your place at the head of the occasion,” the announcer interrupts our conversation.

“I’ll be there,” he sends him away.

“Well, the banquet is about to start. We should get going,” Cyrus and I travel to the outer palace gardens, where the banquet celebrating our victory against the hydra was celebrated.

My head is not in the occasion. I still have so many questions that need answers. 

How do I find a way back home?