“We must command Xenthalor to stop. If they don’t, then…
We gather allies and declare war.”
The Grand Marshal suggested with a stern expression. The air grew heavier, the councilmen’s faces turned grim. They all lowered their heads, not in favor of this decision,
But then,
“I agree.”
The High Marshal spoke up.
Veylara glanced at Varyon and,
“We all know what happened in the Arena that day. The Xenthalor Beast was strong enough to defeat all others in one move.
The difference in power was overwhelming, yet they were still trying to hide what they did.
One only hides if he is wary. The Xenthalor is wary. Even with such an overwhelming difference in power, they still do not believe they can win. It means they are not ready yet.”
The woman then clenched her fists and,
“We need to strike before they are.”
“…”
“…”
The table turned silent.
The Grand Marshal and the High Marshal, the attacker and defender of the Kingdom, stood together.
It was a team that was difficult to go against, but…
“We cannot.”
A tall, slender woman with pale skin and piercing black eyes spoke up. Her jet-black hair was tied into an elegant bun, with a few strands framing her sharp features. She wore a deep violet robe embroidered with silver raven motifs, a high collar, and long flowing sleeves. A platinum necklace with a black gem rested on her chest, and her fingers bore several rings, each signifying wealth and power.
On her chest was her House’s Sigil—A golden dragon talon clutching a coin.
She was from the Ravenspire House, the house of Economy, Trade, and Wealth Management.
Zarya Ravenspire, the Master of Coins.
“A war is an expensive affair, and Xenthalor has more coins than us. They will outlast us.”
Zarya gave her input.
“There will be no outlasting. We will sweep them all in one go.”
Varyon answered confidently.
“We all know that will not happen.”
Zarya didn’t give in.
“Xenthalor isn’t weak. They were never weak. If sweeping them all in one go was possible, we would have taken over them centuries ago. And with the Energy of Dawn strengthening their Bonds, they are even stronger now.”
“We can ally ourselves with Eryndor and Zephyria. We have the cause.”
“Our cause isn’t strong enough.”
Another, elderly yet imposing man spoke up.
He had long silver hair flowing past his shoulders. His deep-set emerald eyes gleamed with wisdom, framed by sharp, arched brows. He wore a flowing midnight-blue robe adorned with golden runes, a high mantle draped over his shoulders. A staff of dark oak, crowned with a glowing sapphire, rested in his hand. On his chest was his family sigil—An open book with a dragon’s eye in the center.
He was the Head of the Vortigern Family and the Archmage of the Kingdom, Alaric Vortigern.
“Selene has ploughed a seed of doubt in people’s heads. The Power of Corruption might be looked upon with a negative light, but Energy of Dawn is different.”
“Archmage Alaric.”
Suddenly, Varyon called out, narrowing his eyes.
“Are you… supporting Xenthalor’s claim?”
Alaric wasn’t intimidating. He simply shook his head.
“What I think does not matter, Grand Marshal. It is the masses’ opinion that does.”
He paused for a moment and explained himself.
“Selene’s words still ring in people’s heads. She gave them a way to get stronger, and she showed that the Energy of Dawn didn’t have the same effects as the Power of Corruption.
And Xenthalor wouldn’t stop. This was only their first demonstration. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go around doing more of these demonstrations to rally people on their side.”
“Their movements are indeed suspicious.”
Suddenly, Zephyr, the Shadow Regent, spoke up.
The attention turned towards him, and he continued,
“All Xenthalor delegations have disappeared, not just from Drakthar, but Eryndor and Zephyria as well. They are regrouping, and they are on the move. My spies aren’t yet clear on the matter, but there were reports of Xenthalor people visiting weaker forces. They are also preparing for a grand event. My people have tried looking into it, but the Xenthalor higher-ups haven’t revealed anything.
We only know that this will be one of the grandest events Nerathis has seen. Quite a lot of money has been put into it.
It is possible that they are doing another one of their demonstrations, and this time, they will be more than prepared.”
Varyon and Veylara narrowed their eyes. Alaric used this chance and continued,
“Yes, this is my concern.
If we declare war without discrediting Xenthalor’s claim of using Energy of Dawn without harming the Bonds, the death and destruction that the war will entail will be blamed on us, and the desperate people will turn against us.
It will weaken us significantly.
The possibility of desperate rebellions will be increased as well, and rebellions during an ongoing war will eat us from inside.
We will lose.”
Alaric declared, and this time, neither Varyon nor Veylara could counter his words.
“Do we… not have a way to discredit their claim?”
Another woman spoke up.
She had a commanding yet ethereal presence. Her emerald-green eyes were sharp and piercing beneath a hood of deep forest green. Her auburn hair cascaded in loose waves, adorned with woven vines and small silver leaves. She wore a leather tunic reinforced with enchanted bark, a flowing cloak of dark moss, and boots lined with fur.
The sigil on her chest—A dragon entwined with vines—was of the Ashwind Family, also known as Guardians of Nature. The Ashwind Family was responsible for gathering exotic beasts and their eggs from all of Nerathis and bringing them to Drakthar. Their Sanctuary of Magic Beast Eggs was only second to the Royal Family’s.
The Ashwind Family is known for their love for Magic Beasts, and the woman was the Head of Ashwind, Sylvara Ashwind, the Keeper of the Wilds and Kael’s instructor, Lyric Ashwind’s mother.
“We currently do not.”
Archmage Alaric shook his head at Sylvara’s question.
“Does this mean the Energy of Dawn does not harm Magic Beasts?”
Sylvara questioned.
“Again, Lady Sylvara, even if it does harm Magic Beasts, we do not have a way to prove it.”
“I am not asking you to prove it. I simply wish to know your opinion.
Do you think the Energy of Dawn is harmful? Or do you also believe that Xenthalor Mages might be right and we have been looking at Power of Corruption in the wrong light all this while?”
Sylvara questioned, and the Archmage turned silent, staring at the King instead.
“Answer the question.”
Alden ordered.
Alaric hesitated for a moment, but then…
“I cannot say anything with certainty. Xenthalor Mages might not… be wrong.”
The King and others narrowed their eyes, and Alaric continued,
“It is said that the Power of Corruption is inherently evil, but the same was said about the Dark Elemental Beasts. But once we tamed and understood them, they were just like every other beast, they only had racial differences, something that is common in every beast.
What if… the Power of Corruption, or the Energy of Dawn as they call it, is the same?”
The Archmage questioned.
“But if that is true…”
Zephyr started, and Archmage nodded at his words,
“If that is true, then Xenthalor is far ahead of us, and if we do not take any action, they will surpass us.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
The Master of Coins questioned.
“I suggest we start experimenting on our own.
Only then would I be able to give a proper answer.”
The Archmage answered, and in an instant, the air in the hall became much heavier than before.
“You wish… to experiment on our Bonds…?”
The Keeper of the Wild clenched her fists. Her usually calm eyes had darkened. The gentleness on her face had disappeared, and her anger couldn’t be hidden.
“…”
The Archmage stayed silent. He knew Sylvara wouldn’t like his suggestion because of her love for Beasts, but…
What had to be done had to be done.
He had just given his opinion. The rest was up to the King. What Sylvara thought didn’t matter when the fate of the Kingdom depended on it.
The table turned silent, tension rose, and people started thinking.
But then,
“Hero Kael, you were the one who first noticed that the Xenthalor Beast was corrupted. What do you think?”
The King questioned as he turned towards Kael.