Ten years had passed since the Sovereign War.

Ten years since the skies had burned above Earth.

Ten years since humanity had stood on the edge of extinction and somehow survived.

And now, the world looked completely different.

Dominion City, the capital of Nortasia, had evolved into the greatest city on the planet. Towering silver buildings stretched endlessly into the skies while advanced aerial transit systems moved calmly between structures like streams of flowing light. Massive holographic screens decorated several districts, displaying news, global trade statistics, peace agreements, technological achievements, and international events.

The city no longer looked like a place recovering from war.

It looked like the center of a new civilization.

And right at the heart of it stood the headquarters of the United Nations.

The building itself was colossal, a masterpiece of futuristic architecture built with contributions from every nation that had joined the alliance. Its massive glass dome reflected the morning sunlight beautifully while hundreds of flags from different countries lined the entrance pathway.

Security around the area was naturally overwhelming.

Military personnel, advanced defense systems, surveillance drones, and mech security units guarded every inch of the surroundings. However, despite all the security, the atmosphere around the headquarters felt peaceful.

Because unlike ten years ago...

The world was no longer divided.

A long black presidential convoy slowly entered through the secured entrance while reporters and media drones instantly turned toward it.

The vehicle stopped.

And the first person to step out was a young woman with long dark hair and striking eyes that immediately drew attention.

Katie.

No longer the little girl who once complained about peace being boring.

She was now a grown woman.

Elegant.

Confident.

And stunningly beautiful.

She wore a fitted white formal suit with silver details, while her identity badge rested calmly against her chest. The reporters nearby instantly began taking pictures as whispers spread across the area.

"That’s President Jayden’s sister..."

"She’s grown so much..."

"She really looks like the First Family..."

Katie sighed softly after hearing some of the comments and adjusted her sleeve.

"Still not used to this attention," she muttered under her breath.

The second vehicle door opened immediately afterward.

Jayden stepped out.

Even after ten years, his presence remained overwhelming.

Age had only sharpened his features further. He carried himself with the calm confidence of a man who had already conquered history itself. His dark suit was simple but perfectly tailored, and the silver emblem of Nortasia rested proudly on his chest.

Then came Camilia.

Now officially Camilia Cole.

One of Jayden’s wife.

The First Lady of Nortasia.

She stepped out gracefully beside him, her beauty and composure immediately capturing attention as well. The wedding between her and Jayden years earlier had become one of the most celebrated events in modern history, symbolizing the beginning of the peaceful era humanity now lived in.

Katie smiled lightly as she watched the cameras focus on them.

"You two still steal all the attention."

Camilia laughed softly.

"You’ll understand someday."

"I hope not," Katie replied immediately.

Jayden simply shook his head faintly before motioning toward the building.

"Let’s go. The meeting starts in fifteen minutes."

The three of them began walking toward the entrance together while security personnel followed at a respectful distance.

Inside the headquarters, the atmosphere was grand.

Delegations from almost every nation on Earth had already arrived. Representatives moved through the massive halls while translators, assistants, and officials coordinated preparations for the upcoming assembly.

Ten years earlier, gatherings like this would have been filled with tension, hidden agendas, and political rivalry.

Now things were different.

Not perfect.

But different.

The massive General Assembly Hall soon opened before them.

Rows upon rows of seats curved around the gigantic circular chamber while the flags of every United Nations member nation stood proudly behind each delegation.

The room gradually quieted the moment Jayden entered.

Many leaders nodded respectfully toward him.

Others stood briefly in acknowledgment.

Because regardless of politics, every person in that room understood one thing.

Without Jayden Cole, none of them would even be alive.

Jayden took his seat calmly beside Camilia while Katie sat slightly behind them together with the Nortasian delegation.

The meeting soon began.

The Secretary General of the United Nations stood at the center podium while the enormous digital display behind him activated.

Royce Kingsley.

Ten years had changed him too.

He looked calmer now.

Wiser.

The recklessness that once defined him during his younger years had faded greatly, replaced by maturity and steady leadership.

He adjusted the microphone slightly before speaking.

"Good morning, distinguished leaders and representatives. Today’s assembly will focus on global economic integration, intercontinental development, and the remaining independent territories that are yet to formally join the United Nations."

The hall remained attentive.

Royce continued.

"As many of you already know, humanity has experienced unprecedented growth during the last decade. Trade expansion between nations has reached historical records. Global poverty rates have dropped drastically. Reconstruction efforts across previously devastated regions have surpassed all projections."

A few leaders nodded proudly.

Royce pressed another control and the display shifted toward charts and statistics.

"However," he continued calmly, "there are still unresolved matters."

The room grew slightly more serious.

"The first issue involves the two remaining countries that have refused to officially join the United Nations alliance."

Murmurs spread lightly through the hall.

One of the representatives from Nestonia soon activated his microphone.

The current President of Nestonia leaned forward slightly before speaking.

"As stated previously, both nations failed to submit the authorized application for unity required under international agreement protocols."

His tone remained formal but firm.

"They have continuously ignored diplomatic outreach attempts and have refused several economic integration offers."

Another leader spoke up shortly afterward.

"But have they stated their reason clearly?"

The Nestonian President shook his head.

"Not officially. Their governments continue claiming they wish to remain fully independent outside global authority structures."

Murmurs spread again.

Katie quietly observed the discussion while taking notes.

She had attended several international meetings before, but the scale of this gathering still fascinated her sometimes.

Another leader activated his microphone.

The President of Icelandia.

A tall older man with a calm voice.

"I believe we should continue diplomatic efforts rather than pressure them aggressively," he said. "The United Nations was built upon cooperation, not force."

Several leaders nodded immediately.

The representative from Franch soon followed.

"Our economic reports already prove the benefits of unity," he said confidently. "Trade efficiency between member nations has nearly tripled compared to pre-war years. Resource distribution has stabilized globally. Medical advancements are now shared equally instead of monopolized."

The President of Espana added his own point afterward.

"And beyond economics, global security has improved dramatically because we stand together. There has been no major international conflict in nearly a decade."

The atmosphere inside the hall softened slightly again.

One after another, leaders began discussing the successes humanity had achieved together.

Shared scientific programs.

Unified infrastructure development.

Global educational systems.

Technological exchange.

Agricultural stability.

Energy sustainability.

The world had changed tremendously.

And perhaps the most shocking part of all...

It had worked.

Jayden remained mostly silent during the discussions, calmly listening while observing the room.

Then eventually Royce looked toward him.

"Mister President," he said respectfully. "Would you like to speak?"

The hall quieted instantly.

Even after ten years, Jayden’s words still carried unmatched weight.

Jayden slowly activated his microphone.

For a moment, he simply looked around the chamber.

Then he spoke calmly.

"Ten years ago, humanity nearly destroyed itself through division before an external enemy even finished the job."

The hall remained silent.

"We survived because we learned something important. No nation becomes weaker through unity. We become stronger."

His tone remained steady.

"The United Nations was never created to erase individuality or culture. It was created to ensure humanity never stands alone again."

Several leaders nodded quietly.

Jayden continued.

"If those remaining nations eventually choose to join us willingly, then we welcome them. If they do not..." He paused slightly. "Then we continue proving through our actions why unity works better than isolation."

The statement earned strong approval across the hall.

Katie watched her brother quietly.

Even after all these years, he still commanded rooms effortlessly.

Not through fear anymore.

But through respect.

And as the discussions continued throughout the morning, one thing became increasingly clear.

Humanity truly had entered a new era.

An era of peace.

An era of cooperation.

And an era built upon the sacrifices of those who had fought ten years ago beneath burning skies to give the world another chance.