Blood seared into the cold stone. The red splatter frosted over into a dried paste as it oozed from my thigh.

Clasping my leg, I dug my elbow into the ground rolling onto my back. Lifting my shaky hand I reached for a small canister attached to my now accessible hip. Just like the box Wulfric presented, I effortlessly unclasped the lock with my inner zoi before rummaging within for an adequate crystal. 

Peering over my shoulder I focused on the crystal's bright aura as I held them up one by one. Finally, I drew a bright ocean-blue stone from the holster. “Just what I was looking for, an Apatite crystal,” I cherished. Gazing upon my find I could not help but compare it to that noble’s evil eyes making me grit my teeth.

“I must say, he certainly misjudged my spirit’s abilities,” I smirked to myself. “But then again I suppose they are quite rare.” With one hand clasping the icicle lodged in my leg I held the other over the wound, Ether crystal in hand. “Ahem,” I prepared my throat. 

“Oh, the great Nymph of the Sanctified Sea. I wish for the Panacea, the healing waters key. I present you the Apatite, a serpent's dying plea. A noble gift of sacrifice to free me from mortality,” I chanted.

After a few seconds, the crystal in my hand shattered on its own reducing to that of dust or sand leaking through my fingertips. In one excruciating motion, I pulled the icicle to the side, opening up the gash in my thigh before pouring the Apatite dust deep into my wound. 

I watched blurry-eyed once again as it swirled, mixing with my blood. “Gaaaaa,” I whaled, biting down on my shirt collar. After a short while the mixture in my leg began to settle giving me a short-lived sense of relief until a bright blue aura excreted from the concoction. 

The icicle in my hand flew out of my grasp as the wound began sewing itself together. Along with the shard of ice, my blood also began floating out from the gash, like a blue waterfall only flowing upwards. Much to my surprise however, my blood-soaked clothes and armour were also cleansed of blood until all that was left was a brand new beautiful pink scar on my leg and a fashionable hole in my pants.  

Wulfric Godwyn

“Where on Ravaryn is that idiot,” I bellowed internally.

Almost everyone was already present. Either standing idly or patiently sitting at the gigantic marble slab that they call a table. 

Contrary to the table's rectangular nature, the temple-like room itself was more dome-shaped. Polished white pillars and archways held up a beautifully carved ceiling that bared many depictions of Aragarths history. 

The meeting table was oriented in a manner so that the head and tail were facing exactly north and south and directly in line with each of the cardinal directions was an array of grandiose stained glass windows each with their mosaic artworks lighting up the entire spire. 

Interestingly there was no chair at the table's tail. Instead, there was a large purple curtain positioned a few paces further back that reached out to the tower wall.

“Forgive me Lord Dragemyre,” I interrupted, turning my attention back to my missing Commander. “Would you happen to know the whereabouts of Lord Mayweather?” I finished. he gazed blankly in my direction across the vast conference table causing sweat to roll down my cheek. 

Well he did mention that he was quite infatuated by the mighty Arcane, so I could only assume that the newcomer is too blown away to remember that he has a meeting to attend,” he smirked, sliding deeper into his overly detailed chair giving it the appearance of a small throne. The other councillors broke out in laughter that was directed at Darian only making my blood boil over. 

As if in response to my rising temperature a shadow was cast through the grand archway. I adjusted my spectacle focusing in on the figure pleading that it was Darian. “Welcome,” yet another prideful voice called out, grabbing the attention of the entire courtroom. An instant giveaway that he was indeed not Darian. 

With his hands behind his back, he made his way to what I had initially thought to be the table's tail but upon glancing at what I had assumed to be the head I was instead met with both the empty throne of Aragarth along with that of their sister kingdom Mayria. A sore reminder of our forgotten past. 

“Well then, shall we begin,” the pudgy-looking man continued. His hands were placed on the tabletop. As he moved to the side to get seated I was once again greeted by the ominous purple curtain at the table's head. 

“Ahem,” a familiar voice rang from the entrance. “Forgive me for my tardiness Councillors of the Zenith,” the voice continued. Darian strode forward with a newfound sense of pride. His shoulders held high and his hands clasped behind his back. I couldn't help but notice Lord Dragemyre shooting him a rather surprised yet distasteful look. 

“What on earth happened to your pants,” a frail old man sitting near the table's centre questioned whilst stroking his beard. “Well despite my superior sword-fighting skills it would appear as though I am no match for the slippery limestone stairs,” he said jokingly, sparking a chain reaction of laughter. This time they were laughing with Darian, not at him. 

As their laughter ceased the old man spoke once more. “So this young man must be the new Lord Commander of Exousia correct,” he bowed his head slightly. Putting two and two together I noticed that the old man's chair was covered in blue and green adornments. He must be the king of Kaistoria. 

“On that note, I would like to introduce Lord Darian Mayweather. Our newest member of the monarchy,” The large man from earlier chimed, pushing his long oily grey hair back revealing a rather recognisable face. 

Everyone present nodded in welcome even the furious Lord Dragemyre and what I could only assume to be his son standing behind him.

“Well now that everyone is here, I would like to begin the meeting as we have some rather pressing topics to cover,” he continued drawing a reme of notes from a pegasus leather satchel that projected a soft colourful reflection. 

“And what right do you have to mediate this meeting, King of Almaria,” Lord Dragemyre scowled. “Well since all of the information I will be sharing with you is that which I have procured, the Monarch thought it only right for me to run this meeting. Unless that upsets you, House Dragemyre. 

Lord Dragemyre withdrew his tone, before performing a slight nod in acknowledgement. “Well then I can only assume that there is only one reason why you were all so eager to attend this meeting,” King Raymond continued. “In fact, this is the first time we’ve had a meeting with every high ruler of Ravaryn present since the time of the great war,” he bellowed proudly, standing from his chair. 

“I think you have forgotten possibly the strongest of the six great nations,” A soft echoey voice graced the room. It was Queen Cordelia of Omorphia. She had pale purple skin and a bright fire coral tiara.

“Forgive me Lady Doris however the great kingdom Mayria has separated themselves from the Monarchy since the fall of Aragarth,” King Raymond replied. “And whose decision was it not to reconcile with them,” she shot back. 

The room seemed to fall silent for a short while. The obvious long-standing distaste between the great kingdoms was far more of an issue than I had previously thought. 

Breaking the blood-filled silence the old King Beaumont began once more. “So where would your husband be there Lady Doris, you know the King of Omorphia,” the frail lord expressed.

“Forgive me King Beaumont however, Omorphia has far surpassed that of only appointing male tyrants like yourself. I am as much the ruler of my kingdom as my husband is,” she reposited cheerfully. “Tisk, what a disgrace,” he snapped back. 

While most of the great house representatives stayed silent including that of Darian sitting before me. The others continued to argue for what seemed like far too long before a bloodcurdling aura shook the room. 

“SCILENCE,” a voice rumbled from behind the curtains causing me and many others to almost stumble off our feet. The voice seemed to pierce the air from every direction giving me the feeling as though I had lost my voice. Every great ruler in the room sat wide-eyed gazing towards the curtain at the table's head where the voice had originated. ‘So even the most powerful people in all of Ravaryn feel this…  fear towards that man,’ I thought worryingly. 

“You bicker like children,” the voice continued as two glowing purple eyes seemed to freeze time itself. “Your hubris is astounding for negligent beings such as yourselves,” the Great Monarch spoke. My entire body was still frozen in place including my eyelids causing my eyes to water.

“The recent events that have transpired are a far greater concern than your hatred for one another,” he huffed, as his rage continued to infest his voice. “Raymond, please conclude this meeting already,” he finished.

After a short pause of silence as the entire courtroom caught their breath, the chubby man began stifling through his notes once more. “Ahem, well, as I was saying I’m sure you're all here due to the pulsating light that was projected in the sky a few days ago. And well as you might have expected, with the help of an artifact that Almaria’s Spellweavers had designed a few years ago we were able to conclude that another great Etherium crystal has formed,” he enlightened nervously. 

The entire table broke out in a combination of startled gasps. Their disbelief was imminent. “But if that's true then that means that the last people of Aragarth have returned to the lands of Ravaryn correct,” Queen Cordelia stated.

“Yes, that is the main reason as to why you have all been summoned. The first is regarding the possible return of the lost Aragarthian people, as Lady Doris said, and the other is what is to come of the new legendary Etherium crystal that has graced our world. 

“Do you have any clue where the great crystal is,” Lord Dragemyre questioned. “See that is our largest issue at hand,” King Raymond began, his hands shaky as he clasped them together atop the table. “The new Etherium crystal is within the Forest of Whispering Sands,” he finished worryingly. 

“Is that not within Mayria’s territory,” Darian and many others called out all at once. 

“Yes, I fear that Mayria’s separation from the rest of Ravaryn has left us in a bitter situation where they are no longer our ally,” King Raymond warned. “We are all aware that each great house of the Monarchy bears roughly similar amounts of Ether crystals, Mayria included. However, if their distaste towards us is true and they manage to obtain this newborn power. Then there is a good chance that they will wage war upon us,” he finished.

The room had fallen silent once again as everyone became deeply lost in thought. 

“King Raymond is to issue a search team of Arbitrators to locate the Aragarthian people. Aside from that. I request the rest of the great kingdoms prepare for a grand journey to locate and obtain the new Etherium stone,” the Monarch ordered. His voice is now free from the distaste he had before.

“It would take months even years to navigate the Whispering Woods, it's the largest uncharted region in all of Ravaryn,” a short man at the other end of the table appended. His head barely reached over the tabletop.

“Yes that is why we must act now,” King Raymond added. “If all of this is true then how long must we deny the fact that the Arcane is faltering,” Queen Cordelia pondered. “We will not speak of such topics a this meeting Lady Doris,” King Raymond stated firmly. 

Raising from her chair the young Queen continued her voice no longer a soft melody. “If a new great Etherium crystal has been born then won't the Abaddon be drawn to its power as well, what will happen then,” she insisted. 

“Enough,” the Monarch thundered once more. “I propose that the Monarchy is to Immediately prepare to search the great outskirts of Ravaryn, and transport the Newborn stone to this very building as property of the monarchy,” he presented. “What say you great leaders of Ravaryn?” 

“I shall second the notion,” Lord Dragemyre said. As he rose from his chair placing a heavy silver stone bearing his family emblem atop the table. “I too agree to your proposal great monarch,” King Beaumont agreed as he too left his chair. 

One by one every administrator-ranked personnel began to leave their seats agreeing with the high Monarch, it was clear that only a handful of our great leaders truly agreed to the monarch's orders however not one person dared to defy his judgement.

“Council Adjourned,” the Monarch stated slamming a hard object into a steel plate behind the curtain which made a loud concluding bang.  

Darian Mayweather

“Forgive me King Raymond, Great Monarch,” I bowed crossing one leg over my other and placing my hand on my chest as I entered the spire once more.

“What on earth are you still doing here?” King Raymond Questioned. Placing his notes back into his mystical satchel. “My name is Darian Mayweather, son of Andreas Mayweather,” I continued, my face still directed at the floor. 

“But that was my closest advisor’s name,” The king replied. “My father was no quiet man he did happen to share some rather intriguing information with me a few years ago,” I strode towards the large king my hands proudly clasped behind my back. 

“Before his passing, my father warned me. He told me to Never trust a man called Gentry Raymond, and that's not all.”

“Congratulations young lord, you’re no longer going to live to leave this tower,” the Monarch laughed from behind his ominous curtain.

“You misinterpret me, Great Monarch, allow me to cut to the chase,” I said brushing my hands over the lonely throne of Aragarth.

“I was wondering why you would go through the trouble of sending Arbitrators after the Aragarthian survivors in our current situation. And then I realised, You fear that the prophecy will come true, don't you? And that Aragarth will hold the power once again,” I finished.

“KILL HIM,” the Monarch called out. I walked away from the table until I was standing before King Raymond as he drew his sword. Stepping down onto my knees I bowed once more. 

“Please allow me to prove my worth and become an unrivalled tool for your arsenal,” I proposed. “Allow me to lead the search. And I shall kill what remains of Aragarth myself.” 

“BAAAHAHAHAHA,” the Monarch broke out. “How amusing you have piqued my interest, Lord Commander,” he proceeded still chuckling at his words. 

King Raymond withdrew his sword, and a wide grin sprawled across his face. “You humans are all the same. Always doing whatever it takes to become even more powerful. Such greedy beings. What is it that you want in return for your allegiance child,” The Monarch exhorted curiously.

“I wish to obtain the 11th blade of Ravaryn,” I grinned rising to my feet.