The Great Hall of the Winter Citadel had undergone a fundamental transformation.
For centuries, a single, massive throne of jagged black iron and obsidian had sat upon the elevated dais at the far end of the hall. It was a seat built for solitary, terrifying rule—the traditional seat of the Alpha King. But overnight, under the direct, unquestionable orders of Valerius, the dais had been expanded.
Now, sitting perfectly parallel to the black iron throne was a second seat, carved entirely from a single, flawless block of glowing white moonstone, accented with deep veins of amethyst. They were equal in height, equal in grandeur, and perfectly aligned.
The physical manifestation of the Unified Realms.
The heavy oak doors of the Great Hall groaned open, interrupting the low, rhythmic hu
