Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

Morning came softly within the Wall.

The slits acted as natural windows to allow the light of day to enter, but it only allowed the barest amount, and was only at its brightest once the sun had fully risen over the horizon.

But even still Julius woke before the bells sounded off to announce the beginning of a new day, and the rotation of the night shift to the day crew.

This was a habit he had formed back in his previous life pulling a 9-5 a habit that carried over into this life, and even unassisted by technology he still managed to rise with the sun every single day without fail.

Pale light filtered through the narrow slit windows of the chamber allotted to him, painting the far wall in bands of gold and white.

For a few moments he lay still, listening.

The sound of wind whipping through the air almost whistleing against the slits in the wall, the shuffling thumps of the soldieres moving in formations as they underwent their daily tasks.

If one were watching the mass of men would simply seem to disappear, fading into the stone only to be replaced by others who would rise up out of the very same stone, as if they were dwarves or golems born of stone itself.

Somewhere, a horn sounded once, low and measured, signaling the turn of the hour.

This was the order of military precision.

He rose, dressed simply in his traveling clothes once more, and stepped out into the corridor.

A pair of officers stationed nearby straightened immediately, saluting in unison.

In actuallity these were not officers to the Wall corp but his own Praetorian knights attempting to hide in plain sight, though thanks to his system their efforts were still in vain as Julius could only grin devilishly before addressing them.

"At ease," Julius said quietly. "I’m heading to breakfast."

They exchanged a glance—equal parts disbelief and resignation—and one gestured down the hall.

"The southern mess, my Emperor. Lady Serena is already there."

Julius nodded and continued on alone.

The morning mess hall was quieter than the night before.

Steam rose from kettles, and the smell of fresh bread—real bread, not hardtack—filled the space.

Legionnaires ate in subdued clusters, voices low, the fatigue of the night watch still clinging to them.

Serena sat at one of the smaller side tables near the open slits that looked out toward the south.

She had her cloak draped loosely over her shoulders, hair still slightly undone from sleep, a cup of warm milk cradled in her hands.

She looked up as Julius approached, her face brightening immediately.

"Good morning," she said.

"Morning," he replied, taking the seat across from her.

For a time, they ate in companionable silence.

Eggs, bread, a thin slice of cured meat, fruit preserved in honey.

Simple, filling, unpretentious—exactly as Julius preferred especially when on vacation.

Serena watched him over the rim of her cup.

"I can’t believe it’ll be over after this..."

He smiled faintly. "Well this one might be, but surely there will be others, perhaps Yuri will even join us that time?"

A pause settled between them—not uncomfortable, but weighted.

They both knew it, this was the final day of their vacation, the visit to the wall was the last listed item on their wandering itinerary since setting out from the capital to wander the western hills, heading north until they reached the wall.

Once they left this place they would be returning south, back to the province of Latinium, back to the Eternal City, back to life as it was before, and the work they had otherwise been avoiding.

Serena set her cup down.

"Before we leave," she said, carefully casual, "could we go back up?"

Julius looked at her. "Up?"

"To the top," she clarified. "One last time. I want to see it again... knowing we won’t be back for a while."

He studied her expression—the quiet earnestness there, the sense that this mattered to her in a way she couldn’t quite put into words.

"Of course," he said.

This felt very much like someone who’d never flown before wanting to go back up one more time to get a look at the view they otherwise would never get to see.

They rose together and made their way back through the Wall’s interior.

The morning shift had fully taken over now—watch rotations moving with crisp efficiency, officers conferring in low tones, messengers heading down stairwells with sealed dispatches.

No one stopped them.

They did not need to.

The ascent felt different in daylight.

Stepping through the maze of corridors before climbing up the staircase until their heads breached the top of the wall, continuing on until their feet were on the roof of the wall, and their vision once more was greeted with the expansive seas of green below, and blue up above.

To the south lay Romanus—their very own Empire, the lands ruled by Julius and eventually also Serena herself.

Lands overflowing with potential, abundance, and goodwill.

To the north lay Visigothic land—which looked darker, gloomier even.

The weather agreeing with the perception as a thick field of grey clouds could be seen off in the distance announcing a future thunderstorm was not to far off.

Serena stepped forward, resting her hands on the parapet.

She did not speak at first.

The wind tugged gently at her cloak, carrying with it the mingled scents of earth and stone.

"So much depends on this line," she said eventually.

"Yes," Julius replied. "More than most people realize."

She turned to look at him. "Does it trouble you?"

He considered the question.

"No," he said at last. "It reminds me."

"Of what?"

"To never be complacent and always be prepared for anything never giving my enemies the chance to strike."

She nodded slowly, then looked back out over the land.

"When I was younger," she said, "I thought walls were symbols of fear. That they were built because people were too afraid to trust one another."

"And now?" he asked.

"And now," she continued, "I think some walls are built out of love. Built to protect not only ones own self, but also to protect the things you love."

Julius glanced at her sharply.

"For the people behind them," she clarified. "For the lives they protect."

He said nothing, but something in his chest eased.

When the moment of sightseeing ended finally they descended one final time, retrieved their horses from the lower stables, and rode out through the concealed gate at the Wall’s southern base.

The stone closed behind them without ceremony, seamless once more.

As they set off down the road toward the Eternal City, Serena glanced back over her shoulder.

The Wall stood unmoving, brilliant in the sun.

A promise of safety and security made of stone.

Ahead of them lay court intrigue, council chambers, reports of distant wars, and decisions that would shape the fate of nations.

But for just a little while longer, as the road carried them south, Julius allowed himself to savor the quiet.

The vacation had ended.

The work, once more, began.