IC-X

> "My timeline? Feh. There's nothing to say--not to you delusional idiots with your happy endings and peaceful lives.
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> "One thing's for sure, though: if you told me it was between blowing my brains out or going back to the war, I'd develop a fondness for the taste of metal real quick."
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> Hirameku Arc, shortly after arriving in the SSCES

The **Timeline of Imperial Conquest (IC-X)** is a notable timeline that is the home of Asche Fall, Hirameku Arc, Serafima Schnee, and Nix Rodentia. It is most notable for the fact that its integration brought with it many tenacious loyalists of the Empire of Mantle, as well as the lack of a proper end to the Great War. At the point at which it integrated, the war had been nearing its one hundred and twentieth year.

At some point during the conflict, the nations of Vale and Vacuo consolidated to form the Sanus Federation; similarly, Mantle and Mistral were joined into the Empire.

## History

Due to a Deviation in the Concept of IC-X, the Great War did not end when it would have according to the Prime Timeline; as it grew increasingly bloody, both sides grew ever more desperate. The Empire turned to unethical experimentation and labor to maintain a technological advantage, while the Sanusians began to field more and more children that were too young to face the horrors of war. Over a hundred years of senseless violence and brutal slaughter with only the occasional lull followed, with neither side able to gain sufficient purchase in the territory of the other.

As generations passed, the hate became ingrained. What had once been a fight over individualism and freedom turned into an embittered war of attrition in the name of avenging those who came before. By the time the Fall of Beacon would have occurred in the Prime Timeline, the war was only just beginning to settle into what looked like a stalemate. At that time, Emperor Jacques Schnee died of illness, leaving Princess Weiss to take the throne, as her sister Princess Winter had already joined the military and become a high-ranking officer.

Shortly after her coronation, the young Empress fell in love with a minor noble, whom she courted briefly before disapproval from her advisors forced their separation. However, a child was later born as a result of this union, and Weiss would lament being unable to know her.

As the years went on, Weiss pursued a policy of peace and appeasement with the Federation, and around twenty-one years after taking the throne, she managed to negotiate a peace conference known as the Vytal Symposium. Its consequences, however, were not so fair.

### Vytal Symposium

On May 22nd, ES 2013, the Vytal Symposium was held as the first official negotiation for peace between the Empire of Mantle and the Sanus Federation on Vytal Island. In attendance were the Unified Council of Sanus and Empress Weiss of the Empire, as well as many minor nobles and Weiss' personal protection detail.

The Symposium was proceeding tensely, but mostly successfully, until roughly 1PM, when a group of pro-Mantle extremists under the employ of Lavenza Cor detonated a series of bombs that had been placed all around the island. These explosions killed the Empress, Brennen Fall, several members of the Sanusian delegation, and a good portion of the security details and bystanders on the island. By the time the dust settled, both sides had already used the bombings as an excuse to fan the flames of war once more, and the conflict reignited with new ferocity as the new Emperor was coronated. For five more years, this conflict would continue, until the fateful day that a certain woman kidnapped Asche Fall and threw her into the SSCES.

## The Goddess Nikos

Also known in other timelines as Pyrrha Nikos, **The Goddess Nikos** is a deity worshipped by the inhabitants of IC-X as a Goddess that represents various concepts, depending on who one asks. Most conventionally, she is associated with victory, battle, love, kinship, and honor.

The Goddess' importance comes from more than just reverence, however. Each generation, a Champion earns her favor and is bestowed with a blessing that affords them incredible combat prowess, strength, speed, and the ability to use magic. These Champions are typically instrumental in tipping the war in one side's favour, and as only one may exist at any given time--at least, in theory--the title is highly-coveted by both.

## Inhabitants

* Asche Fall
* Serafima Schnee
* Lavenza Cor
* Frieda Graf
* Bruno Juniper
* Agravain Argentinium
* Tanith Havinn
* The Maestro
* Nix Rodentia
* Hirameku Arc
* Vierge Arienna Belle-Celine Leclair Arc du Mantlia