"The wheel turns and turns... now gathering and binding all this power at its center. All this damned, infinite power."
— I am glad that, in this case of great urgency, you were able to attend. Especially here, standing firm in one place... I thank you for answering such an urgent summons, coming from the Great Counselor himself... High Guard and supreme representatives of the LiGodght.
The voice echoed now in a golden hall, near-infinite, as if divine light illuminated the entire place. The Great Golden Hall of the King's Flame — so named by its founders. And before the voice that rang through the infinite golden hall, four figures stood still, facing a great round table that seemed to be made of pure gold.
One of them sat at the table, sipping a noble wine; his hands were old, his white robes, accented with gold, swayed as he swirled the glass, looking arrogantly at the speaker who stood bowed before the four figures.
The second figure stood in a slouching, lazy manner, leaning against a great axe larger than his own body; his hands rested on the weapon, his body hunched, and his clothes appeared to be of military design but with ritualistic elements. His hair was disheveled, his beard unshaven; he also stared at the owner of the voice, but his eyes were careless, sluggish, and relaxed, rimmed with deep dark circles and possessing a golden pupil, unlike the first figure.
The third figure was a gargantuan man, also standing; his eyes were serene and calm, full of discipline and duty. He maintained an upright posture, arms crossed, hair neatly combed back, wearing the same garments as the second figure.
The fourth figure emanated an immense terror, an incredibly unbelievable power, like a deity of flesh beyond all levels. He stood behind the first figure, as if guarding him. He was tall, calm, and rigid; he did not move, nor did he seem to breathe, like a statue. Unlike the first figure, who carried himself like a god swirling his wine; the second, who was visibly disinterested, yawning and relaxed over his own weapon; and the third, who showed crushing discipline, yet still blinked.
But this one, the fourth figure, was different from all the others. For he transmitted nothing. His eyes had been closed since they first gathered there; he did not move for anything, as if he were part of the scenery. He held a sword between his hands, guarding the first figure and only him. His posture was perfectly straight. He emitted terror, strength, and immense power, as if he could not be touched, nor could the one he protected — and this with his eyes closed. He had a serene, calm face, fine skin without a sign of blemish, wrinkle, or mark. A young man wearing armor with gold details and black gaps, clearly well-articulated; his hair was perfectly groomed, reaching the base of his neck. Some would say he resembled the Holy Archangel Michael. Before everyone there, he truly seemed divine, even while at the service of men.
— Now... we have no need for such formalities here... after all, you are Kameliel Reixys, correct? Noble and direct envoy of the Great Counselor... I am graced by your angelically composed demeanor. But the matters we have to discuss here today are more important than cordiality.
The first figure's voice was revealed, communicating with Kameliel, who remained kneeling before them despite being a high-ranking noble. That was Ligaiden Gythin, the leader and supreme founder of the LiGodght. An old man who found himself rising ever higher in power among the high castes, already compared to a high-tier noble. He held a glass overflowing with the most expensive wine between his fingers.
— Argh... dammit, man, don't fuck with me! I already hate your filthy little type. Hahah! And you still strike a shitty pose like that, how ridiculous! Fucking noble... just say the crap the Great Counselor wants to communicate so we can get out of this hell... I'm starting to get tired as fuck and this shit hasn't even started... why did I have to come, anyway? I hate working...
The second figure revealed himself: this was Girash Martiers. A military figure from the lowest caste of society. He was a mere nobody, stepped on by the world and by vermes — as he called them. Human trash carrying a great power that was noticed by the Great Counselor. Wielder of a special power originating from the Purple Flame, different from the SanctBlood, he possessed a different evolutionary capacity, titled SankitinBlood — a mysterious and rare evolutionary variation of the usual SanctBlood.
Girash displayed arrogance, laziness, and high pride. He made a point of making it clear that he was driven by an immense hatred for the high caste of society and the nobility; even as a soldier serving nobles, he would never stop hating them. This drove his life. The lazy Girash was also the wielder of the chaos relic bathed in the Purple Flame called BreakerRulesh: a colossal axe charged with raw energy condensed to the limit, explosive and highly destructive. Unlike the ShadowStorm, the weapon had almost no refinement, but possessed immense power, emitting raw energy blasts with a single swing. In Khaelis's opinion, it was an incomplete weapon, worthy of a madman who only knew how to swing it. In fact, a star about to collapse without the slightest control. But the fact that he possessed such a relic made Girash the second most powerful member of the entire High Guard and the wielder of the greatest raw destructive power among them all.
— Calm yourself, Martiers... in the face of the Great Counselor's business, you must maintain control! I have warned you before... but still, you remain impulsive and destructive!... An arrogant boy. You know the focus we give you... do not waste it! I do not believe I will have to address another way of educating you. Maintain your posture! We are on High Guard business here... you know our obligations. Our duty is to deal with them!
The third figure felt forced to cut off Girash's completely unscrupulous behavior, and so he did, demonstrating his authority. Laden with posture, with a sharp and disciplined gaze, Torosh Nariwel made Girash swallow hard, silencing his voice and lowering his head. Torosh was the absolute authority above Girash, leader of the High Guard and its most powerful member. His origin was unknown to all except, perhaps, the Great Counselor. Between the two, there was a mutual and inexplicable respect; the Counselor's supreme authority functioned in perfect symbiosis with Torosh's discipline. The only relevant fact available to others was that he also possessed the rarity of a SankitinBlood.
VUSSSSHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Suddenly, a dense discharge of energy was released into the air. Everyone went tense; their hearts froze. An inexplicable, animal fear took over the hall. Except for one. The silent one, the fourth figure, had opened his eyes.
— Please... representatives of the High Guard. I ask for the deepest silence. We are before direct orders from the Great Counselor. Please, just keep your ears wide open.
That man's eyes possessed an infinite glow.
Words leaked from his mouth as if they were chaos itself. The room was taken by a bizarre sensation the moment he opened his eyes. Before, it was danger; now, it was as if a golden mass invaded the being of everyone there — infinite and devastating energy. That being was not human. Chaos echoed in his voice. He did not seek to rebuke them, but rather to maintain a minimum of control, as instructed by his master.
— Even though I do not owe my total submission to the Great Counselor, I recognize his authority before the LiGodght. So, be silent. Please.
His eyes were an infinite, glowing spiral. Now he didn't even blink; the glow he emitted almost blinded everyone. They didn't even look at him. The man remained motionless, eyes wide open, like a golden void that unmade souls just by existing. Everything seemed to be sucked into that cosmic chaos. His voice distorted into immeasurable echoes.
Gzzzz!
— Glulp! Damn... this bastard is... argh... the BreakerRulesh!... the energy is collapsing again... argh... always these guys... what a hell, man! I really had to show up!
Girash Martiers broke into a cold sweat before that golden power that distorted space. Arcann-El's eyes created a kind of glass around his figure, as if the fabric of space were hardening. The air and space crystallized, taking the form of a distorted wall that did not interact with the laws of physics.
— Argh... indeed... it makes sense he would want him nearby... for now... I see... an immoral and sad lack of meaning in this...
Torosh Nariwel, nearly being swallowed physically and psychologically by that distortion, watched him with a sweaty brow.
Even as the highest military authority there, his eyes recognized the superior power interacting with reality itself. The "glass" continued to grow, shattering space as if everything would break at any moment — an impenetrable existential wall separating him from the others.
— Argh... Arcann-El. You finally opened your eyes. Quite the occasion, eh?... You've been so quiet. What made you open your mouth this time?
Gythin questioned him, without looking at him directly. The man, now called Arcann-El, kept his eyes empty and, at the same time, full of infinite light — a spiraling rainbow. Locked onto the bowed Kameliel, Arcann-El did not blink, did not move. He only stared.
— Yes, Master Gythin... I... I felt I should open my mouth today. Even if only to utter simple words. If you prefer, I shall remain quiet as a dog. If you order me, of course.
The air of the Great Golden Hall felt compressed. The energy charges on the walls flickered; some went out for brief moments. If that continued, it would annihilate the entire hall known as the King's Flame. Gythin, discreetly, rested his arms and glass on the table, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
— No. — His voice sounded firm, despite the caution. — It is fine. I ordered you nothing, Arcann-El.
the spiraling colored eyes continued to stare at Kameliel, consuming everything deeply.
— Very well, Master. I shall express myself when necessary.
Gythin remained silent, turned toward Kameliel, while slowly Arcann-El's eyes closed, hiding that portal of chaos.
Bzzzz.... treck!
The BreakerRulesh relic reacted to the raw energy, releasing dense sparks.
— Argh... what a son of a bitch... damn, I hate working... come on, Nariwel, why did I have to come anyway?
Girash, feeling his body heavy, continued to lean on the axe, now out of necessity. Arcann-El and Gythin ignored his words completely, as well as his presence. The sweat on his face and the posture of the others betrayed the truth: Girash's words were not important there. The fact of being ignored so pathetically irritated him deeply, but his hatred would serve for nothing.
— Bastards... that's why I hate these guys... think they can... damn... I'm too lazy even to scream, huh... hahah... what's up, Nariwel... why did you have to bring me, anyway? The rest of the guys were available...
He stared at Torosh Nariwel, who was regaining his composure. Unlike Girash, Torosh's gaze returned to being sharp and firm as a rock in a short time.
— Argh... not another word, Martiers! Vomit as much as you want, if necessary. I've already told you... you were the ideal choice required for this situation in my view... just accept it and stay quiet! As the second most powerful member of the High Guard and with your high military rank, I and the Great Counselor demand your presence. Lord Gythin and Arcann-El are already fed up with your attitude. Stop shaming the High Guard!
Girash blinked for a moment, trying to regain his strength. In that brief blink, Torosh had already recomposed himself completely: back straight, head high, and arms crossed. Meanwhile, Girash was consumed by an immense urge to vomit.
— Argh... sure, Chief... it's just... just... damn, forget it!
Girash, feeling his body pulse along with the BreakerRulesh, gradually straightened himself with tensed muscles. He knew that, at that moment, Torosh was right. High Guard matters required composure.
Gythin was the third to stabilize after the shock generated by his "flesh god." Kameliel had not moved a muscle; only beads of sweat rolled down his face. Girash was still shaking. It was ironic: Gythin was the master whom Arcann-El followed, and yet, he was the only one in the room without real physical power. He proceeded:
— Young Reixys... stand up... come, lift your head.
Kameliel obeyed. His "dead" gaze remained steady, despite the sweat.
— Of course, Lord Gythin... let us proceed.
With a trembling gesture, Gythin swirled his glass.
— Right... update us. What does the Great Counselor plan?
Kameliel stared at him. His eyes did not exude death, but rather a complete lack of life, something that intrigued Gythin. Even under absolute oppression, the young man's eyes were the same. His mind did not scream. It enchanted him: a noble so young from whose eyes all spark had already been drained.
— The first step now is an alliance. Simple and understandable to you. War will come soon; the Great Counselor seeks allies. The entire High Guard has already been updated. According to the Great Counselor himself, those with whom we must ally are the RyzisX. Even if the use of force is necessary.
Gythin's eyes widened slightly, swallowing hard. Something didn't sound right. What could the forgotten ones offer?
— What?... The ghosts. They fell years ago. Simiriam's death was a... catastrophe... They lost power and influence. I believe the LiGodght is above them, correct?... Tell me... why? And who?
— The "why" is not to be mentioned until the great conference at the Begins, which may be held at the EndGarden. Until then, the Great Counselor sent word that the High Guard and Arcann-El must stand ready for direct commands. But I can tell you who will be in charge of securing the alliance.
Kameliel's voice continued to drone, hypnotizing Gythin. It was incredible how that young man spoke. Focusing again on those immense empty eyes, Gythin saw there the same horrific look as Hiro Reixys. Perhaps that was the future.
— Proceed...
— The appointed ambassador will be Hiro Homi's Reixys, honorary leader of the Primary Family and the Secondary Family of House Reixys in Rameliel's absence.
Upon hearing Hiro's name, the association between father and son was completed in Gythin's mind.
— Ah, yes... Your father. Hahah... I was just thinking about how the two of you are identical... your empty eyes are beautiful...
Kameliel remained silent, as if the comment didn't reach him or even find a soul to touch. Gythin swallowed hard once more.
— Well... but... I heard a new unit is being formed. Entirely separate from the High Guard, exclusively for tactical points, intelligence, and confrontation for this imminent war scenario... Tell me... who are the members?
Gythin rested his hand on his face, waiting for the answer with discomfort.
— Yes, Lord Gythin. Regarding the unit conceived by the Great Counselor, the members are: Vidraes, the Master of Slaughter, former member of the Four Blood Blades; Khaelis Kaiwen, youngest son of House Kaiwen and currently the only living heir of the House, wielder of the ShadowStorm.
— Argh, I hate that guy. — Girash gripped the BreakerRulesh. His hatred for nobles radiated, which bothered Torosh.
— Martiers... what did I say? It seems today you are making an effort to be disobedient! — Torosh reminded him, without shifting his focus from Kameliel.
— Argh... sure, boss... my bad... I'm just starting to die of sleep here...
Everyone ignored the comment. Kameliel's voice continued:
— And leading this unit... the Prince...
Everyone's heart froze. A sensation of tightness, as if a stake pierced the chest of each one. Anxiety.
— So the rumors are true... — Torosh remained firm, though his heart also tightened. — I hope the reasons for him hiding this make sense...
— Argh... damn! I knew it... these bastards all doing everything behind our backs! — Girash couldn't hide his shock. — But why did he decide to hide this from us?
— Hm... so really, then?... What a phase we are going through... And you, do you have nothing to say, Arcann-El? — Gythin questioned.
— No, Master... nothing... — he replied, eyes closed.
Kameliel, finishing his announcement, was the drum of terror that makes the wheel turn:
— Anexzander Rodalight will lead the unit!