[The King's Domain - The Obsidian Hall]
A heavy, oppressive silence filled the hall. The ten Harbingers sat in their designated positions around the rectangular obsidian table, their presence alone enough to make the stone walls groan. Finally, the 1st Harbinger, **Krios**, broke the silence. He leaned back, his brilliant blue sword leaning against his chair.
"Why did you summon us, King?" Krios asked, his voice a cold, steady echo.
The King narrowed his eyes, his hands clasped tightly on the table. "I am sure you have all heard what Kaelvyr did to Nova during their spar."
Zarek, the 2nd Harbinger, spoke up, his expression unreadable. "We all know exactly how strong Kaelvyr is. For him to overpower a newborn Origin... I believe that is normal."
"Normal?" the King's lips curled into a jagged sneer. "He defeated a Spiritual Origin with a single touch, Zarek. You call that normal?"
The Harbingers exchanged glances. Krios let out a sharp, dry laugh. "Wait, wait, wait. I hope this isn't what I think it is."
The King's smile widened, devoid of any warmth. "I want to kill him."
The reaction was instantaneous. Krios laughed out loud, Zarek offered a thin, mocking smile, and the 3rd Harbinger smirked. The others simply rolled their eyes in disbelief. Only Draven and Xyke, sitting at the far end of the table in the lowest ranks, remained frozen in shock, too terrified to speak in the presence of such madness.
"What is so funny?" the King demanded.
"You want to kill an Origin Angel who has lived for millions of years?" Krios asked, leaning forward. "A being older than Xyloria herself? Even the last King didn't dare entertain such a thought. You didn't call a meeting, King. You called for a death sentence."
"Watch your mouth," the King growled, his aura flaring. "I am your King."
"That doesn't mean you can control me," Krios countered, his gaze unwavering. "And it certainly doesn't mean you could defeat me in a one-on-one fight."
Zarek raised a hand to settle the tension. "Calm down. But King, Krios is right. What you're suggesting is suicide. There is no way—none at all—that you, I, and even Krios combined could kill Kaelvyr. That wasn't even his full power when he fought Nova. He was holding back."
"You weren't there," the King snapped. "How could you know?"
"He's right," Krios interjected, his voice turning somber. "When Kaelvyr fought Xyloria eons ago, she struggled to land even a single hit on him. His mastery of the sword is beyond anything we can comprehend."
The King scoffed and reached into his robes. "Well... I have a plan."
He pulled out a shimmering, translucent sphere and placed it on the table. It landed with a heavy thud, sending a low-frequency echo through the hall. The 3rd Harbinger gasped. "The **Abyssal Devourer**?"
Zarek's eyes widened. "Wait. Killing an Angel Origin means cutting the life-thread of every Angel in Orynx. Are you planning on destroying the entire race?"
"Yes," the King said simply.
The table erupted into mumbles of unease. "If Kaelvyr can kill with a touch," the King shouted over the noise, "he could kill us all whenever he chooses!"
"If he wanted us dead," Krios said coldly, "he would have ended us five million years ago."
"I don't care about the Angels," the 3rd Harbinger muttered, her eyes fixed on the artifact. "They've always been too dangerous for my liking."
Zarek closed his eyes, his mind calculating. "What is the plan? Kaelvyr won't just stand still while we devour his essence."
"Devourer?" the 6th Harbinger asked, tilting her head.
"The Abyssal Devourer is an ancient artifact," Zarek explained, "capable of siphoning the entire energy reserve of any species. It was created by the Citadel family long ago, when the previous King needed a way to eliminate a Demon Origin who threatened his throne."
"Nice," the 6th Harbinger whispered.
The King stood up, his shadow stretching across the table. "I will need three Harbingers to ambush Kaelvyr: The 1st, the 2nd, and the 6th."
The 6th Harbinger blinked. "Me?"
"We need your authority," the King said, a cruel glint in his eye. "You must use your command to keep Kaelvyr still while the artifact drains at least forty percent of his energy. That should be enough to prevent him from overwhelming you."
"But he's too strong," the 6th argued. "I could die."
"Not my concern," the King replied flatly. He sat back down. "So. Who is with me?"
Slowly, Krios, Zarek, and the 3rd Harbinger raised their hands. One by one, the rest followed. Draven looked at Xyke, who wore an expression of pure dread, but they too raised their hands.
"Wait," Krios said as the King prepared to leave. "You're forgetting someone. What about Nova?"
The King paused at the door, a dark smile playing on his lips. "If you mean the girl... don't worry. I have that handled."
"The meeting is ended," the servant announced.
***
[Crimson Citadel - The Living Room]
The atmosphere in the Citadel was far less formal, but no less tense. Skye, Xyne, Elarion, Rhyzok, Elara, and Ryvex were all gathered in the main living area. Skye stood up, heading for the exit with a look of pure disgust.
"I hate babies," Skye muttered. She opened the door and looked back at Xyne, her eyes narrowing. "A Spiritual Being and a Demon? Bad combination!"
Xyne stood up, her aura flaring as she moved toward her, but Ryvex stepped in her way. Skye laughed and vanished into the hallway.
Ryvex sat back down, staring blankly at the ceiling. The news of the new sibling had clearly rattled him. Xyne sat beside him, her expression softening slightly. "Don't you want a little sister, Ryvex?"
"No," Ryvex said, glancing at Elara. "I already have one annoying sister. I don't need another."
Elara huffed, standing up and grabbing Rhyzok's hand. "Come on. Let's go to my room. It's too gloomy in here."
As they left, the front door swung open. A woman walked inside, her expression weary but proud. She was cradling a small bundle in her arms.
"That was quick," Ryvex remarked, standing up.
Xyne approached the woman, her curiosity getting the better of her. She reached out a finger to gently touch the infant. The woman looked at Xyne, then at Elarion. "And who are you?"
"I'm Xyne," she replied. "Ryvex's friend."
The woman turned her gaze to Elarion, her eyes narrowing. "This place is dangerous for a being like you, spirit."
"I can handle it," Elarion said, his voice steady despite the pressure of the Citadel.
Xyne continued to watch the baby, mesmerized by the tiny life. "What's her name?" she asked.
The woman looked down at the child, a faint smile touching her lips. "**Rin Citadel.**"
To be continued...