By 1204, the Byzantine Empire had crumbled, and its sole heirs, Nicaea, Epirus, and Trebizond, were still embroiled in infighting, completely forgetting their past grievances. In Constantinople, the Latin tyrant proclaimed himself emperor of the Romans, while in the north, the Bulgars were rampaging, greedily devouring the empire's legacy, and the Turks were also stirring, eager to gnaw at its flesh. Meanwhile, in the far east, a latent force, the Mongols, was quietly rising. The empire's collapse seemed utterly irreversible, but how would Justinian reverse the tide and raise the banner of revival once more?

The double-headed eagle watched over his empire, gazing both at its former glory and the abyss of reality. In 1185, Constantinople fell to rebellion and betrayal, and the Komnen family's eagle standard fell sadly amidst blood and fire. In 1192, Tiberius on the banks of the Cura River welcomed two extraordinary guests. Alexius Komnen, a name born to bear the destiny of an empire, was forced to make his judgment before the end times. Would he follow in the footsteps of the old gods into destruction, or would he build a new order upon the ruins? His choice would determine the ultimate answer to Roman civilization. ——————Book Club: 809500903 (Welcome to join and discuss)