The cosmic tides of the inner world, which had been churning in a hurricane of speculation, showed no signs of calming.
Two days had passed since the disappearance of the empress, and the System Forums had devolved into a digital wasteland of conspiracy.
Even the justifications issued by the Head Minister of the Jade Empire, claiming a sudden breakthrough, failed to quell the unease.
Quadrillion of lifeforms had witnessed the abrupt end of the livestream; a breakthrough of that magnitude usually resonated with blinding light, not a cold silence.
Deep within the inner sanctum of the Jade Empire, inside an enormous meditation hall wreathed in emerald mists and protected by ancient anti-spatial areays, a figure sat in a perfect lotus position. Her face was veiled in silk, her breathing so shallow it was non-existent.
Suddenly, her eyes, those mesmerizing, toxic green orbs flew open.
"Where... where am I?" Esmira gasped, her voice echoing off the high ceilings.
