The ruins of Sombreval had barely finished smoldering under the glow of the purification runes when the Council of Vindhor convened once more—solemn and tense. Kaelen presided, flanked by Lys, Ceylen, Maelis, and Aurora; Serin and Shirut were away on other fronts. Yet beneath familiar faces, the first cracks of irreversible division were beginning to show.
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I. Doubts in the Sun Hall
1. Conflicting Voices
Kaelen opened the session, raising the Key of Eternal Breath.
> Kaelen
"We held the line in Sombreval, but the Crown of the Void is only the beginning. Soon, the bearers of the other crowns will strike. Our task is clear: prepare Vindhor, and decide whether we must seal or destroy the relics."
Ceylen, brows furrowed, stepped forward.
> Ceylen
"The wind's magic can isolate them—trap them within cages of Azurine. We preserve their power and study them—for the future's sake."
Aurora, voice soft but resolute, countered:
> Aurora
"And what if it's too dangerous? What if the Crown of Lunar Chaos corrupts a mage, or the Abyssal Crown draws forth sea-born plagues? We should destroy them—without delay."
2. Rising Fractures
Their gazes locked. Maelis restrained herself from interjecting:
Ceylen pursued intellectual compromise; Aurora demanded decisive action.
Lys stood silent, torn between loyalty to her king and her instinct to shield the people.
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II. The Circle Votes
1. The Motion to Seal
Maelis proposed:
> Maelis
"Let us carve runic circles within four distant temples. Each crown will be sealed away—safeguarded by knowledge and caution."
Four out of six voted in favor. Lys and Aurora exchanged a silent look.
2. The Motion to Destroy
Aurora stood.
> Aurora
"Then I will bear the burden of destruction. I will not be complicit if these relics doom Vindhor."
She left the hall alone. Lys followed, unable to support such extremity alone, but unable to abandon her either.
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III. The Nighttime Confrontation
1. Clash on the Balcony
On the balcony, Lys caught Aurora by the arm.
> Lys
"You're not fleeing, Aurora. We are guardians—not executioners."
Aurora whispered in return:
> Aurora
"And what if the righteous path is the blade—not the vow? Can't you feel the poison in these crowns?"
Their voices rose. Lys, wounded, murmured:
> Lys
"You betray our oath—our family."
Aurora walked away, leaving Lys to grasp the depth of her own sorrow.
2. Official Departure
By dawn, the Council received word: Aurora and Lys had departed Vindhor, bearing their own banner. They would act by their own judgment and vigilance. Kaelen, his throat tight, did not hold back his tears.
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IV. Epilogue — A City Divided
Vindhor awoke beneath a broken sky: half-bright, half-veiled. The king and his now-diminished Circle knew their inner fractures might cost them dearly. The shadow of betrayal, more than the corrupted energies, now loomed as the greatest threat.
> When even the truest hearts splinter, the firmest of pacts begins to crumble.
To be continued...