The Celestial Galleons, enormous flying ships trimmed with golden hulls and radiant sails, hovered silently in the sky over Athens.
The meeting was held on the deck of the aircraft carrier Midway, anchored a short distance from the city's harbor.
Soldiers in crisp Bernard uniforms lined the sides, their hands resting near their rifles, wary and stiff.
Across from them stood Raihan and his delegation — armored warriors with cloaks of white and crimson.
The two groups faced one another.
Introductions were swift and formal.
"I am Raihan, Champion of the Holy Empire, chosen by the gods," Raihan said, voice deep, measured.
"I am Alberto Bernard, Emperor of the Bernard Empire," Alberto replied.
For a brief moment, the two leaders simply stared at each other — two unyielding forces weighing the measure of the other.
Raihan frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly. "I have never heard of your country before."
Alberto shrugged casually. "And I have never heard of yours."
