A Gathering of Titans

The air in Lubiy thrummed with a palpable anticipation, a tautness that tightened with each passing hour. It was the eve of the Grand Summit, the moment when the fate of the world, or at least the known world, would be decided. James Alexander von Nova stood once more on the balcony of his guest estate, the familiar city lights painting an intricate tapestry against the encroaching darkness. His gaze, sharp and discerning, swept across the landscape, his mind cataloging, analyzing, preparing. The stage was set; now the players arrived.

The city gates, once a conduit for the steady flow of commerce and pilgrims, were now a grand gateway for the most powerful entities in the world. The meticulous processions, the dazzling displays of heraldry, the palpable aura of authority – each arrival was a carefully choreographed performance, a subtle statement of power and intention.