The room they entered was not what Kai had expected. It was a large space for sure, but clearly aged and worn. It was dark, making it hard to see clearly without the rays of light that came through the roof. A chalky stone surface laid beneath their feet, leaving powdery dust on their shoes with each step. 

He observed the surroundings further. At the center of the space, a golden circle lay pressed into the stone, cracks littered around circumference. Several pasty, white pillars were erected around the circle. Kai counted twelve in total. The two walked further until they finally reached the center.

Suddenly, several bright lights were activated, shining down on them with powerful beams. After his eyes adjusted, Kai looked around to discover they were no longer alone. At each pillar stood white clad soldiers. Not like the ones they met downstairs…no, these were clearly more advanced. Each of them towered above the boys, even taller than La. They wore white, metallic armor that was in pristine condition. The various pieces from the helm down to the reinforced boots were seamlessly connected to each other , making it appear more like an exoskeleton than armor. The surface of the various pieces were decorated with curving golden strokes, attentively placed to enhance the design. 

But most stunning of all were the wings. 

Each soldier was adorned with massive, mechanical wings. Golden feathers hung from their white frames, forming a beautiful visage of the otherwise imposing figures as the wings hung to the sides in a resting position.

Finally, each soldier held their own weapon. There were a variety. Swords, bows, spears, gauntlets, shields and so on. However, unlike their downstairs counterparts, the weapons were not crude in the least. Although they paid homage to old world weaponry, the designs were entirely different. From what Kai could see, each weapon was constructed using a gold colored, metallic alloy that was shaped and held together by a strange blue energy. Enigmatic designs all around.

The soldiers stood so still under each respective pillar that one could mistake them for statues. But Kai knew they were alive. The tension emanating in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The silent observance from the white clad beings was a gesture of conditional peace…that much was certain.

Before he could analyze his surroundings further, even more lights turned on, illuminating the peak of each pillar. On each of the erected stone structures sat a person, comfortably seated in a luxuriously designed chair. Twelve pillars, twelve persons. Some male, some female. Their gazes gave away their beliefs of superiority and distaste. Some faces reflected emotions even deeper than that.

On the furthest end of the room from the two boys, sat an older asian man in a chair broader and more well decorated than the others. Kai assumed that was the leader here.

A woman stood up from her seat and began to speak.

“The Holy Court of Sovereign Divide has called for this council. The will of the Most High will be done,” She began.

“The will of the Most High will be done,” The others echoed. The lady looked down to the two boys and continued.

“Welcome, Archamed of The …”

“Skip titles,” Archamed requested abrasively.

The lady raised an eyebrow.

“Very well, The Invited may now speak.” 

She returned to being seated.

Archamed looked straightforward at the man sitting on the pillar opposite from the entrance. The man appeared to be mid-forties by Kai’s estimation. He presented very posh with his slicked back hair and lasting scowl.

Archamed looked at him a while longer before he scoffed.

“Lincoln, I see you continue to enforce your authority no matter where you reside,” he started. He removed his right hand from his hoodie pocket and gestured to some of the pillars. 

“And you continue to make our beliefs appear as cultish as ever,” he stated in annoyance. Kai had no clue what a cult was, but he nodded slightly. He was surprised though. This was the first time this week he saw Archamed truly express any sort of emotion. He decided that perhaps it was best to remain quiet for the time being.

The man Arch spoke to interlocked his hands and frowned as he leaned forward. His scowl worsened and his forehead wrinkled as he began to speak.

“Save your remarks, boy! The council has no time for childish complaints!”

Archamed’s face flashed with anger and he opened his mouth to speak, but the man slammed his hand on the balcony that encased the pillar and yelled out at him.

“You know what this is about! You abandon your people in perilous times and show up four years later … with an intruder no less! You have stolen away members of another Sovereign court, and you leave behind a gargantuan mess in the ITCU! Now explain yourself before this sovereign court before I have you executed where you stand!” He shouted furiously.

A silence swept over the room.

The young Saint gritted his teeth before he spoke.

“Your words insinuate that you would violate Cerei Calmna. Your threats mean nothing in the face of the law you so ably hold to.”

“Cerei Calma means nothing now! You of all people should acknowledge how important it is for all the Sovereign Courts and all the Saints to collaborate in these times!”

“Collaborate? Oh…you mean how you play lap dog to Solace? Shall we too now bend down and raise our rears in the air as you have?”

Archamed turned and spoke to the other ministers of the court.

“Shall I, too, cower behind a balcony and shiver in cowardice while others fight for the grounded folk?” His sentence ended just in time for him to see Lincoln stand up.

The older man stared at the young Saint with fury in his eyes. He raised a foot and kicked the stone balcony clean off its bounds down to the boys below. Kai backed away as the balcony’s arch landed right in front of them crashing and lodging itself into the ground. As the chalky grey dust cleared, Archamed stood unfazed, just mere inches from the rubble. He looked up at the fuming minister before him.

“Watch your tone, boy. You may have invoked Cerei Calmna but I will not have you disrespecting the Court.”

Archamed’s face slowly settled into its emotionless state as he spoke.

“Very well. Continue, High Minister.”

Lincoln stared for a bit longer before exhaling heavily and taking his seat.

“Who is the intruder, Archamed?”

Archamed moved his outstretched hand over to Kai and pointed at him.

“This boy is no intruder.” 

He paused for a moment.

“His father … is my master, Kenta Lonestar.” He revealed.

Kai felt his body fall cold..

What did he just say?

“F-Father?!” Kai stuttered.

Several gasps arose from among the court and they whispered among themselves. Even the man called Lincoln was taken aback.

“You mean… This is…” Lincoln struggled. 

“Yes. A descendant of the Ocarins and a child of a Saint, meaning, he is more than welcome here. Perhaps even more than half of this court.” he stated, irrefutably.

Lincoln leaned back in his chair, almost appearing defeated. The mumbling continued among the council. He took some minutes to collect himself and leaned forward once more.

“My apologies…Welcome Mr. Lonestar.” He greeted Kai.

“Archamed, what do you…” Kai started but was interrupted by Archamed holding up his hand.

“After. Let me deal with the idiots first” He responded. The boy sensed kindness in his tone that was not typically there.

The court continued to discuss among themselves.

“Ok that is quite enough!” Lincoln yelled, causing everyone to be quiet. 

“Seeing as Mr. Lonestar is an Ocarin, and son of Kenta Lonestar, he shall be allowed to stay with the people of Sanctuary as long as he wishes and all of his needs will be abundantly taken care of.” Lincoln commanded.

“Now, if there are no other matters we can dismiss The Invited.”

“What? Not a chance!” A voice contested.

Archamed looked to his right to see who had interrupted. From another pillar, a bald man who couldn't be older than thirty had stood up and looked down on Archamed in disgust. Kai watched as Archamed’s face wrenched slightly.

“I don’t care if you're a Saint or otherwise! You cannot just stroll back into the Sanctuary and then leave again for another four years as if we are not in need of help here,” The bald man continued.

“Eric, don’t provo…” Lincoln started but was cut off by Archamed.

“I don’t recognize you… so you must be new to the court. Regardless, your opinion is of no concern to me. I’ll be leaving now.” Archamed said as he turned back to the entrance. 

The bald man gritted his teeth, refusing to feel defeated.

“And what if I say no?” He stated as he raised his arm into the air. 

Immediately, all of the white-clad guards shifted to being alert and circled Archamed and Kai. Their wings raised from their rested state as the various guards to combat poses. Swords were unsheathed, spears pointed and bows drawn.

Kai was not sure what to do and looked around frantically for something he could use to defend himself. Archamed sighed and slowly, his irises began to glow a light orange hue.

“Unless you want to be sweeping up piles of ash for the next couple weeks… I suggest you allow me and my guest here to leave,” Archamed said firmly, hands still in hoodie. Kai felt the air in the room warp and flushed into a much warmer temperature. Even his own body screamed to step away from Archamed.

Blue energy bursted forth from the guards’ weapons and they each advanced slowly towards the young Saint.

"You have four seconds," 

The bald man did not back down.

Archamed frowned.

“Three…” 

“ENOUGH!” Lincoln yelled. 

The guards lowered their weapons and swiftly returned to standing guard at their posts. 

“Archamed and Mr. Lonestar, you are dismissed by High Minister intervention,” Lincoln stated. The bald man scoffed and dropped back into his seat. Archamed’s eyes returned to normal and he exited the room through the Lifegate at the entrance. Kai followed behind him, taking a short moment to look back at the Court once more before disappearing through the curtain.

After they left the room, the bald man turned to speak to Lincoln who pressed his forehead in frustration.

“Why are you going easy on him Lincoln? After the way he left?” He asked.

Lincoln gritted his teeth.

“Do you want to pick up the burnt armor pieces from the Seraphims after he’s done with them?" Lincoln asked him while glaring at the bald man.

“Oh please! He may be a Saint but these are Seraph 1 units. Even just two of them should be enough, moreover 12.”

“You are clearly unfamiliar with the seventh generation Eric. They are in no way the strongest generation but yet have completed the most field missions in their time. Moreover, they are a rebellious bunch. They have experimented in ways of combat that are nowhere in our records and despite their reckless behaviour are deceptively meticulous. I detest them, but they are good at what they do. It’s best to observe that fool for now.”

“I fear you give them too much credit.”

“And I fear, you’re not giving them enough. He wouldn’t have come in here without a plan. He probably had numerous escape routes or a way of defeating the seraphs. He is not to be underestimated.”