Greetings, dear readers of romantic science fiction stories. I am your host Arkana, and my role as narrator is to tell you a story that I think is important to understand another story. You may know what story I am talking about if you have read Mork by Arturo Reyes on Tapas and Webtoon, but you can also enjoy this story without previous knowledge of the lore written by the author. Also, I must warn you that this story deals with some mature stuff, so it’s advised that only teens and adults should read it. With all that said, let’s begin this story.

It was the year 2221 of the Age of After the Cataclysm, and change was coming to the Known Worlds. In previous centuries the people of the Known Worlds struggled for survival, kings rose and fell, new gods were worshiped and heroes decided to stand against evil and help those in need (1). Now, a new era of progress, both technological and social, has arrived and it was all thanks to the work of a very pragmatic dreik empress.

Before you get the wrong idea, this isn’t a story about epic displays of heroism, or about wars where millions of people died on all sides. This is a story about love, family, friendship and reconciliation (2). Our two main protagonists are the Empress Morkana Alfrau and the hero Arther Flamewing, and the two haven’t seen each other in 6 years until now.

INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY (3)

There’s a tradition that monarchs have to sit on a fancy throne to show their authority. Some like thrones made of gold that show divinity, and others like something edgy like a throne of skulls. The previous Emperor of the Fafnirian Empire sat on a throne with golden spikes, and it became more awesome looking once it became covered by magical crystals (4), but Empress Morkana didn’t find that old relic comfortable to sit on it so she replaced it with a more comfortable chair that has integrated computers and holographic displays. The day Flamewing returned she was sitting on her “throne” and doing the usual work an empress does, which means shouting at people through holographic communications (5).

Morkana: “You thought you could disrespect the commercial treaties without my agents noticing? If you don’t respect the laws you don’t respect the empire. There will be consequences for this.” (6)

Morkana Alfrau, Empress of the Fafnirian Empire, Queen of Blitz and other foreign territories, scientist extraordinaire, Vetinarian pragmatist, “Bitch of Blitz”, “Mother of Monsters”, “Daughter of Death” (7) and busiest mom ever was giving her most serious glare at some unfortunate fool that thought it was a good idea to do something against the laws Morkana had established.

Poor fool: “I-I am so-so sorry your high-”

Morkana switched off the hologram in front of her and continued her many administrative duties that she managed in different screens. For a workaholic like her this wasn’t difficult, but for the past 6 years she has been tired and sad. Very sad. Only very few people would notice how sad Morkana was, and that is because she hid it very well. Just like every day, she wore a fancy royal black dress with traditional armor pieces, her makeup was well done and her long black hair looked majestic as ever. She needed to show the appearance of a powerful leader at all times, but not even her performance fooled the worries of those close to her.

Morkana: “What is next on the schedule?” (8)

Sparrow (as a voice coming from a computer): “Lisa Valkyr will contact you at 15, the ambassador of the Medusa Islands José Paz at 16, the syndicate leader Gray Tail at 17, there’s a lab report waiting for review, and Prince wants to show you his new painting.”

Even when Morkana is tired, knowing her son is enjoying his childhood makes her happy, which is something that was stolen from her, and she vowed no children would have to suffer what she suffered. However, she felt sad that her son hasn’t met his father yet.

Morkana: “Arther, you big idiot.”

It has been 6 years since Morkana’s fiance went on a self imposed mission that he claimed was to “do the right thing” and she has waited patiently since she knows he is a man of honor. Flamewing was last seen entering Frontier space in an old starship and Morkana suspected he went to Stardust, an agrarian world with a bittersweet story. He begged Morkana to not approach Stardust for her own safety, and she had to follow his request because she was aware of the danger to herself and her unborn baby. As the years passed, Morkana received less and less letters, but after months of silence from Flamewing’s side he began randomly sending letters again. Sometimes he sent sketches of what he saw on Stardust, or drawings of Morkana wearing one of her goth dresses; other times, he sent melancholic letters saying he did something awful and Morkana wouldn’t forgive him. Sadly for Morkana, she couldn’t send letters to a hidden location (9) on a lawless planet and it seems Flamewing wasn’t aware of his son’s existence so her letters to her fiance probably weren’t received. This was of course planned by a malicious third party who wanted to keep Flamewing stuck on Stardust for so long.

Guard: “Your highness! There’s a human that is requesting to see you!”

Morkana: “Tell them to sign the proper paperwork.” (10)

Guard: “B-but your highness, he is carrying the Sword of the Emperor!”(11)

Tyrant Notes:

1)And those heroes really hated if certain evil NPC's got labeled as "essential" and couldn't be killed.

2)A certain magical girl vs. the Forces of Evil did both. The results weren't... Optimal.

3)The haircut lasts (German joke).

4)There was also that throne made out of swords. Some say it was the center of a really cool fantasy show which had a rather lackluster ending.

5)Morkana: "I wanted my pizza with tomato and no tarantulas!"

6)Morkana: "1 star review for you."

7)Commander of Rogue Squadron, Lord of Liverpool, Nobel Prize Laureate...

8)Sparrow: "The Samurai Pizza Felines. They want more Pizza and more Samurai, less Ninja and Hotdogs."

9)Somebody clearly has to be briefed about the Internet and emails.

10)That human tried, but the bureaucracy was so terrible he burned the entire thing down. And the bureaucracy was so big it meant burning down an entire planet.

11)Guard: "Not to mention the shield of the King and the Morningstar of Baron Harkonnen."