The sun had only just started to rise over Rico Bay, yet already Citadel University was abuzz with activity. Uncharacteristically, students had stirred themselves up in the very early hours of the morning in order to get a glimpse of the very important guest who was visiting the campus that morning. University security staff policed the swelling crowd of young adults as they set up cordons and kept the roads and footpaths clear, the students congregating on the university’s many green spaces under the green of the trees. All eyes were turned towards the main entrance, waiting in anticipation of the arrival of the Caesar.
The entire campus had been transformed with decoration to mark the occasion. Bunting in the colours of the university, red and blue, decorated all the buildings and lamp-posts along the footpaths, from which flew the purple and gold colours of the Vexillum, the bold image of the eagle and abbreviation “NOB. CAES.” (meaning
Noblissima Caesar, “Most Noble Caesar”) clear even from a far distance. The groundskeepers had worked tirelessly to ensure that everything was spotless and in proper order, while one patch of green space which overlooked the campus had been left clear for the national and international press, who coordinated all their efforts from there as they had camera crews and reporters talking to students across campus, capturing the goings on and providing rolling updates to their studios. Photographers weaved in and out of the crowds, trying to find the best positions for the event that was about to transpire.
Eventually the University President, James Gatling, made his appearance - receiving cheers and playful jeers from the university’s many students - and stood patiently in front of the gates, prompting the crowds to hush a little as they realised something was happening. Accompanying him was the Student Body President, and both were dressed in their full university regalia, prompting the clicking of quite a few cameras. Clearly a lot of rehearsal had been put in for today’s event: months ago, an envoy from the Fangthane Palace had arrived to help plan and coordinate the day - giving regular repeat visits - and to give clear instruction on the expected protocol and etiquette. This was just an important an event for the Caesar as it was for the university, and so everything had been considered and prepared for, and no stone had been left unturned. All of this was to go off without a hitch; anything less would be unacceptable to her.
Sirens now became audible in the distance as all the cameras and eyes turned to the main entrance, and within a few moments the lights all became glaringly visible. A strong motorcade of Citadel Police streamed in through the gates in formation, protecting a small fleet of three vehicles that came in, one being a large beast of a car which had an angelic hood ornament: the Caesar’s State Car. The display was quite modest, considering that her standard motorcade could consist of at least forty vehicles, but due to reasons of practicality and wanting to demonstrate the trust they held in the Skyans, everything except the most essential were left behind. Cheers erupted from the students as their excitement and anticipation grew, and to pay respects to the Citadel Police officers who were held in ever increasing levels of regard in the aftermath of the attacks from the Scandinvan. As they dismounted from their bikes, the doors of the vehicle at the back of the motorcade swung open, and out stepped two members of the Caesar’s Guard, battle-hardened veterans who had proven themselves the most devoted to Caesar. Dressed in full black power armour, their helmets plumed and bodies decorated with the pelts of exotic animals from their homeland, one proceeded to make their way abruptly to the Caesar’s State Car while the other carried the Caesar’s Vexillum and proceeded much more slowly as they hoisted it high in the air, prompting a second wave of cheers, especially amongst the Kylarnatian students who attended the university.
Opening one door, out stepped the unmistakable figure of Lord Hyperion, who towered over everyone present and proceeded to observe the surroundings. The sound of cameras flashing intensified and the crowd gave a very audible reaction, some cheering while others were simply in awe that he was as large as had been said: seeing it in pictures was one thing, to see it in person was another. After a few moments of observing he gave a nod of approval to the Guardsman, who then proceeded to open the door that he had approached. Opening it fully before falling to one knee and bowing his head, out stepped Caesar, and for a moment all one could hear were screams of excitement and the flashing of cameras.
She smiled for a moment, waving to the crowds, before turning her attention firmly to President Gatling and the Student Body President and approaching them, Lord Hyperion and the Caesar’s Guard following close behind, as well as a small party of the Caesar’s Vestals who had emerged from the other vehicle. She was dressed in a blue business suit with black seams and a matching knee-length skirt, black stockings and heels, and also wore a small red scarf as a nod to the university’s colours, while on her lapel she had a diamond brooch styled in the shape of a lion’s head. Atop her head rested the Caesar’s Diadem, a golden band fashioned to look like angel wings, which complimented her locks of blonde hair which were fashioned in her signature ‘retro wave’ style. Her face bursting with colour, with a bright immaculate skintone to deep red lips and blue eyeshadow to compliment the suit, she was nothing short of breathtaking, and the photographers present went to every length they could to get the best photographs, while the cameras became fixed on her.
Arm outstretched, she first shook hands with the University President before then doing the same with the Student Body President, smiling warmly. The three exchanged a few unaudiable words before President Gatling gestured for her to follow, and so they began to make their way down a clearly defined route. As they walked through the campus and the Caesar was shown the highlights, the crowds eagerly followed, cheering and taking multiple pictures, the event very quickly trending all across social media. The Kylarnatian students - who at this point were swimming in a pure ecstasy of emotion - shouted cries of
“Ave!” at the top of their lungs as they saw her, some going as far as to weep tears of pure joy. The press were captivated by this and were sure to capture as much of it as they could, and Caesar would occasionally turn to them and blow them a kiss as though to acknowledge them, sending them even more into a frenzy.
Eventually the trio had made it across to a large lake that sat on the far edge of the campus next to the impressive Rico Bay. Taking a moment to admire the beautiful scenery in front of her, they then made their way towards a rather new building which sat on the banks of the lake and was the first scheduled stop of the visit. This was the official opening ceremony of the brand new Institute of Seraphology.
Seraphology was the study of the language, history and culture of Kylarnatia. As such the new Institute would become the centre for all degree courses and classes dedicated to studying Kylarnatia and its people: from courses on Seraphic, to Kylarnatian history, theology, literature and many more, all that was on offer was designed to give Citadel University’s international corpus of students a greater understanding of the Kylarnatian way of life, one which was often seen as quite alien to the rest of Gholgoth let alone the world. Aside from just being a place of learning, the Institute would also be the focus of encouraging more cross-cultural exchange between the Skyan Republic and Imperium Antiquum, with scholarships and grants being made available for Citadel University’s students to do a year abroad in Kylarnatia, or even just to travel there for a time, and vice versa. There was even provision for the children of Kylarnatian parentage - either in part or fully - who emigrated to Citadel City or elsewhere in the world, to come to the Institute in order to reconnect with ones heritage, to allow them to reconnect themselves with their motherland, something that was seen as both socially and spiritually important for a Kylarnatian, as was evident by the behaviour of the Kylarnatian students present upon seeing Caesar. Fanaticism for her withstanding (though desirable), it was hoping that reaching out to generations of Kylarnatian descent would help create a sense of belonging and affinity in the long-run, even if they held a different citizenship entirely.
Caesar herself had privately funded the venture since the establishment of Citadel University, and years of planning had gone not only into the Institute’s programme but also it’s construction. A rather large complex of connected buildings, the Institute was a clear mix of both neo-imperial and contemporary design: the main building, known as the Kleio Building was designed to look like an imperial palace, with massive pillars and steps of marble. The front facade was decorated with a frieze of statues, all depicting the twelve
Genetrix: twelve women whom the many noble families of Kylarnatia claimed descendance from, one of whom was Kleio, the building’s namesake. Known as
“the Wise One”, she had according to Sacerdotium canon shared with humanity her knowledge of their history, nature and the importance of learning. All around the rest of the building the continuing frieze depicted angels known as Seraphim, and other scenes and images from Kylarnatian mythology, meanwhile the large front doors of the building were protected by two winged lions in the Seraphic style, though they were a clear nod to the Skyan lion, along the bases of which were etched the glyphic text of High Seraphic, a language spoken only by the priestesshood of the Sacerdotium and - so they claimed - the Seraphim themselves, giving an aura of magic and mysticism about them. On the top of the entrance building there was a golden rotunda, which once it was open to the public, one could step inside and look up and would see it was adorned with murals and paintings of Seraphim and Archseraphim in Avaris, the Sons and the Grand Mother firmly in the centre. Past this main entrance hall were the Institute’s lecture theatres, grand symposium’s for teaching and learning.
Further beyond that were two buildings, one slightly larger and another much smaller. The former was the Caesar Silvier Library, named after the principal donor, which was a contemporary glass building that went up several floors, which from the outside one could see the hundreds upon hundreds of bookshelves stacked high with books and tomes ready to be used for learning, as well as rows upon rows of desks for study fitted with modern appliances and large chairs for comfort. Each floor also had clusters of classrooms which could be used for seminars or by groups of students for group work and study, as well as all the amenities one would need for the long nights of studying and revision. At the ground entrance level there was a large café and social space open to all visitors during the day and for students during the evening, as well as a small public museum which displayed wonderous objects which had been granted on permanent loan from Kylarnatia’s many grand museums, including large illustrated copies of the
Libro Divinatio and
Libro Testamentum, the Sacerdotium’s holy texts. The final building was a rather modest in size but still lavishly decorated Templeum of the Sacerdotium: ministered by Citadel City’s own Fortum Basilica, the space was available for student’s religious needs, and it was agreed with the university that the space would be available for student’s of any faith who wished to have somewhere to practice and pray.
Once the Caesar, her hosts and her entourage had reached the winged lion’s guarding the Kleio Building, a ribbon had been tied across them to block the path. A waiting attendant stepped forward and presented Caesar with a pair of scissors: opening them, she then placed the ribbon through them before pausing for a moment to look back at the cameras and the crowd. She smiled and beckoned for the University and Student Body President’s to join her in cutting the ribbon, and as they did so the crowd cheered and the photographers took another long round of photographs as Caesar shook Gatling’s hand again in front of the building. The Caesar’s Vestals sang hymns in blessing, while a group of Kylarnatian students - dressed in ceremonial togas and dresses - clapped and cried in celebration as they began to dance and play a
celebratory tune with drums, flutes and lyres.
With the opening now officially complete, the party moved towards the Windcharmer Auditorium, where the Caesar was to be made an honorary Dean of the University in recognition of her part in making the new Institute possible, and where she would give a speech to the five-hundred students who had been quick enough to secure a ticket, though the media had also been quick to secure space for their cameras to capture the speech and broadcast it live to the rest of Gholgoth and the world.
While the students were filing their way into the Auditorium, Caesar sat with President Gatling and the Student Body President on stage, while Lord Hyperion stood behind her and the Caesar’s Guardsman holding her Vexillum stood next to the lectern, unwavering in his duty, while the other Guardsman stood at the foot of the stairs leading up to the stage, watching everyone who passed her with eagle-eyed determination to pounce on anyone who caused her any suspicion. The Caesar’s Vestals had lined up in front of the stage and kneeled, their heads bowed and hands held together as they meditated. Silvier made small talk once again with both Gatling and the Student President, admiring the architecture and decoration of the Auditorium while observing the students as they came in.
Once everyone was settled, Gatling was the first to speak at the lectern, giving some brief introductory remarks explaining the honour of being a Dean of the University and why their guest was deserving of said honour. He then asked her forward, and under a shower of applause he awarded her with the Dean’s Chain, which he placed ever so carefully around her neck. Shaking hands once again, he then gave her the lectern and returned to his seat. Getting her notes ready and allowing the crowd to settle, Silvier took a sip of water from a glass that had been provided, while Lord Hyperion took his ever present position at her side. Once the Auditorium was silent, she began.
“It is impossible for me to express the joy and privilege I feel in being here with you all this morning, and you do me a great honour in making me an honorary Dean of this remarkable institution. The name of Citadel University, indeed Citadel City at large, rings with an air of fond familiarity to me. I feel as if I’ve known it for a long time, despite how short of a time it’s presence has been in the long and ancient history of the lands of Gholgoth.
Indeed, the word “citadel” invokes a feeling of safety and securedness that is often sort in these dark and mysterious waters. Yet here it has found an even grander meaning: not just one of safety and security, but of liberty and freedom. Of determination and progress. These are all the things that I have seen embodied in your most noble of statesmen and women, and in the men and women of the Skyan Legions who have already fought countless battles and bled plenty in the name of all these things, and of the Gothic Alliance which binds us together like strands of fabric in a grand tapestry, or the blood shared between siblings. Time and time again, the brave men and women of this most noble Skyan Republic have shown us the better angels of our nature, and within each and every one of you I witness and admire the same spark of life that I saw in both King and Queen Ironwing, who have been close to my heart since I first met them many moons ago.
My people are not so different from yours: We share the same strong commitment to safety and security, to the liberty and freedom of the human spirit, to progress in the name of humanity with a determination that shines as bright as an eternal flame in perpetual darkness. Of course, we have our differences in the nature of these things…” She paused for a moment to deliberately adjust her diadem, and to give Hyperion’s chest a few brief knock’s which echoed around the Auditorium, followed swiftly by some soft laughter amongst the audience, “...yet I do not think that has prevented us from uniting together for noble and just causes, nor ever should it. Our vibrant differences are what make our shared tapestry so grand and colourful, and we have much more to gain from sharing those ideas and learning from one another. This, I hope, is what the new Institute of Seraphology will achieve.
I shall give you an example: surrounding us is a depiction of the Greek titan Prometheus carrying fire from heaven to earth and giving it to humankind, an act deemed heinous and unforgivable by the vengeful and powerful deities of Mount Olympus, for it allowed humanity to progress without their divine intervention. In my culture, we share a similar theme in our own beliefs: it is said that when the angel Silvier, who had been raped and discarded by the power-hungry god Kronus, survived her fall to earth and resolved to bring justice against the gods, she taught humankind how to harness fire, and in so doing the first spark cleansed the corrupt and invisible link between humankind and the gods, allowing them from that point onwards to determine their own path and destiny. When the gods were finally overthrown and cast from Avaris and Silvier sacrificed herself to free the universe and its forces from the bonds the gods had created, becoming the Grand Mother in the process, the earth was cleansed with fire and began anew. The Eternal Flame still burns bright in the Magna Mater Basilica back in Krytopia to this day.
Whichever you believe, the same truth is evident: humanity was given the means to determine it’s own progress, to advance beyond what had originally been destined for them. It was a noble and just act, the consequences of which have echoed throughout time and space and even our very souls: we all feel that fire rage within us when we passionately believe in something, when we fight for greater causes. I truly believe we have just achieved a similar feat not too far from here, in the White Citadel where the Gothic Council is being reformed, and this was achieved in part due to the noble and just actions of our two peoples, and those of many others who followed.
It is impossible to overstate the significance of what has transpired over the past few hours: from this moment on, Gholgoth is being reborn anew. There is no going back to the old ways, for we have set in motion a chain of events which will forge a new path for our ancient and grand alliance. No longer will we be forced to succumb to our demons, to act with all the destructive and deadly nature of the plague of war and death that has ravaged the soils of this land, slaughtering hundreds of unknown generations in the process. From today we can carry forth the fire of progress and liberty, be a torch that shines upon high above the world, angels who are vengeful only to those who are deserving of our wroth. This change will take time, just as it did for humanity to progress, and with that comes plenty of challenges. But make no mistake:
this is our destiny, and all it requires is for you to accept it in your hearts and believe it in your minds. You here now, and those watching all across Gholgoth, are our future: one day soon you will succeed us in carrying out this grand task, and will work within this new world order which many have died in order to give you, and will continue to die in order to protect for you.
The road ahead of us is an arduous journey, and will require even more sacrifice. In lands not too distant from here, the word “citadel” evokes a much more different feeling: of terror and decay, of eternal subservience and captivity. Of thoughtlessness and regression. Just like the gods of old, they do not approve of any progress that is not a part of their grand design, and will attempt to punish those who attempt it, just as the Olympians did Prometheus. I cannot predict what the punishment will be, but punish us they shall try and it will undoubtedly attempt to cause as much destruction and pain as possible, using fear in order to try and put us on a backwards step. I say let them try, for they are afraid; they may not know that word, or what it means, or even how it feels, but they know that the tide moves against them. That the fire is spreading, and that it cannot be stopped. Like divine beings who crave power above all else, they cannot envision a reality where it is not within their grasp. That, above all else, will be their undoing.
Let us then link our arms in camaraderie, our souls in eternal and undying love for one another and our creed, and let us carry forth the fire of human progress from our safe havens forward to face whatever challenges await us. Let us be those better angels of our nature, throw back the darkness that only seeks to envelop us, and cast back into the depths of the ocean the outdated and unflattering assumptions that have been made of us. We are not dead, for we never truly die: we are reborn. We are unwavering, unbroken and unyielding to any foe or false idea that seeks to see the sanctity of the human spirit undone. We are Gholgoth, Angels of Fire--
Seraphim--and we are eternal. Our name shall henceforth inspire progress in the hearts of men, and fear in beings who attempt to play god.”
Her speech concluded, she stepped away from the lectern and acknowledged the crowd reaction, before departing from the stage and moving to the Speaker’s Lounge. At her request, the Student Body President joined her behind the bar, and in between any questions from the mighty crowd of students who gathered there, she spoke to them about them as an individual and their life at university, sharing private reflections on her own time as being both a student and once heir then co-regent with her father. It was a chance for her to be herself, appear human and form a genuine connection with someone, which she hoped would transmit further out into the young people who were the future of the region.
All she could hope for is that her words would resonate, and have their intended impact.