The Throne Crumbles

The Empty Throne was flanked by the weapons of the twenty founding Celestial Dragons. It symbolized the World Government's power and the peace it upheld, and the official line was that no one was worthy of sitting on it.

Within the World Government, of course, the throne had a master. The Five Elders were the five most powerful men in the government, but even they stood beneath the throne, administering affairs on behalf of its master, Imu.

Imu, the true supreme authority in Mary Geoise and master of the Empty Throne, lived in the Chamber of Flowers. He was believed to descend from the earliest Celestial Dragons.

The Five Elders said no one could sit there. But Imu, the supreme ruler of the world, had long been regarded as a true god.

Of course, this god had almost no known feats to his name. As far as Gu Sheng could recall, Imu had never been seen fighting anyone. There were only hints that he might have been involved in Roger's death.

"Lord Imu! Please forgive us!"

In the Chamber of Flowers at Mary Geoise, the Five Elders bowed before Imu in terror. A nearby screen showed every detail of the live broadcast outside.

Today, representatives of fifty nations were attending the World Conference. By custom, part of the proceedings allowed the kingdom representatives to view the Empty Throne and learn its history. To preserve its authority and meaning, no one could sit on it.

So Imu had remained in the Chamber of Flowers today rather than taking his seat on the throne. Even the Five Elders had moved to an office outside the chamber to handle affairs.

But now, watching Gu Sheng fly toward the Empty Throne, how could they not be afraid?

"Marco the Phoenix. Another Roger?"

Imu's gaze