After the young Zonians were discovered at the gates of Auran, a week of terror ensued. News of the attack on their village traveled like wildfire through all parts of Zonia. The reports even reached the “Chamber of Council”, a building nearly as massive and magnificent as Auran’s central castle. Both were nestled at the heart of Auran, and both were hit hard by the news.

Leaders of the Council gathered from far and wide and met together inside the gold-laced Council chamber, joining the men and women who represented Zonia’s people specifically. Everyone was united in one thing: there had to be immediate action. The halls, carved from glistening marble, stretched as far as the eye could see, and the voices of representatives echoed through them all day and all night. Today's gathering, which aimed to unite all the representatives in one conversation, occurred in the Great Hall.

On one side of the Hall, rows of raised seats housed the attending delegates, each emblazoned with a holographic nameplate indicating the country or district of the member. The delegates themselves were quite diverse. Some were humanoids with ethnic details similar to those on Earth, who wore regal outfits that represented their respective backgrounds. The remaining were a mix of Zonians and Halflings, who were the offspring of one Zonian and one human parent. Halflings resembled Zonians with their pointed ears, but they were half the size, more akin to the size of humans. Though these representatives were not as regal as Seirei Jins, their noble garments were unique to each individual and the land they came from. Opposite the masses of representatives sat the Council leadership. These leaders wore priestly robes of white, black, and emerald, each with gold trim. These figures could best be understood as scholars, devoted to studying and upholding Auran’s great laws. The respect that they held radiated throughout the chamber.

At the far end of the Great Hall, there were six elevated seats, each hosting a unique occupant. Some were human, some were Zonians, and all were dressed in emerald, white, and gold. These figures were particularly special: the Elders, who oversaw the world of Zonia and were the supreme keepers of the peace. In the highest seat, Grand Elder Chandler sat, wearing a pendant that showed the symbol of their great country: five gemstones grouped together. A white one rested in the center, with a red and a green on its left and a blue and a yellow on its right. Rays of sunlight shone from behind each stone, and olive branches wove softly between them.

Once all members of the congregation were seated, the Grand Elder raised his gavel and struck the block before him. The chatter came to a rest immediately.

"This meeting will now commence," Grand Elder Chandler declared.

A young Councilman wearing emerald, Garoushin, rose to begin the discussion. "Greetings. I trust we are all aware of the news that has reached our city. A week ago, two female Zonians from the Taisen tribe managed to escape from an unknown attack. They claim their attackers were creatures with white masks led by their Chief's son, and that these attackers stole away families and took them to a floating object in the sky.”

"Creatures wearing white masks? Floating objects in the sky? Sounds implausible if you ask me," a Councilwoman retorted. She spoke under her breath, and it was unclear whether or not she expected to be heard. When others around her looked in her direction, she continued. "There are no such creatures in our world, and perhaps the flying object could’ve been an air ship flying by. We all know most zonians condemn science and technology.”

"I understand, Councilwoman Reia,” Garoushin said. “But having read the reports, there had been no air ships around that vicinity. And we discovered three other villages who experienced similar attacks by these unknown creatures. The inhabitants of those villages were either missing or dead. We were fortunate to have survivors this time.”

Reia leaned back in her seat, silenced by the new information.

Councilman Garoushin continued, his expression turning to one of dismay. "With the aid of His Highness, King Dreszar, we deployed military personnel to investigate one of the abandoned villages in his country last week. Unfortunately, and painfully, we captured the final moments before their fatal end."

There was chattering from throughout the chamber about what the Councilman could possibly mean. Then, from the center of the marble floor, a square panel slid open. A mid-sized pole with a round orb at its tip rose into the air. The orb then emitted a beam of light that stretched wide across the hall. The result was a nearly holographic screen that every creature in the Hall could view, showing footage from a soldier’s camera.

"This section is clear,” shouted his comrade. The two were walking through a demolished village. No structures were left standing. “We need to check out the northeast area.”

The soldier with the camera seemed to nod, but before he could reply, a shrill scream sounded in the distance. And then, silence.

"What the hell was that?" the soldier said to his comrade.

There wasn’t time for either to find an answer. Immediately, a large black creature with a white mask lunged into view. The creature spared no time before it pounced on the comrade and began slashing violently. The soldier screamed in agony as blood splattered throughout the camera’s view. His voice then stopped, suddenly.

The soldier with the camera fired his energy weapon at the creature, but its body absorbed the blast. Then, it turned slowly toward the soldier, revealing its blood-smeared porcelain mask. Its beady eyes glaring menacingly. Clearly seeing the danger now, the soldier with the camera began to back away.

"Stay back," the soldier warned. His voice was low, and he was clearly just trying to diffuse the situation.

Metallic shrills echoed from his right.

Suddenly, two more creatures jumped into the frame. The soldier was unable to dodge in time. They tackled him to the ground, and the camera caught all three of the creatures’ faces as they glared down at him. The soldier panicked and tried to break free, but it quickly became clear that he was unable to move.

"No! Please!" he called out, but there didn’t seem to be anyone around to save him.

The creatures raised their long metallic claws, and the soldier reached up to shield himself with his arms. It was no use. With one swipe, his arms were severed from his body. The soldier screamed in pain. Then, the creatures began to really tear into him, splattering blood everywhere. The camera lens was covered in crimson. The congregation listened to his screams in shocked silence.

Then, slowly, blood dripped down far enough on the camera’s lens and revealed the white-masked creature one last time, just before the video froze.

The holographic screen vanished, and the projector sank back into the floor. The room was silent, in awe and in fear.

Seated behind a holographic nameplate labeled "Auran" was an elderly Councilman. He looked much the same as all the other older men in the room, but he clutched a unique golden staff. He idly stroked his long mustache and thin beard, and as others began to speak, his eyes began to flit throughout the room.

"Where did those creatures come from?" asked a male leader in his fifties.

"Did you see how easily the soldiers fell?" another Councilwoman asked. "They didn't stand a chance."

The old man scanned the room, sensing fear rapidly spreading.

"What if they come for us?” another voice said.

Then, another. “This could be the end for us all."

The old man smiled at that, as if it were his cue to take action.

"No time like the present," he whispered to himself as he used his golden staff to pull himself to his feet. He began to hobble toward the center of the room as more and more commotion grew around him.

"Order!" yelled the Grand Elder, as he pounded his gavel.

The room trickled into silence once more, and as it did, representatives began to turn toward the only sound they could hear: the echoing ping of metal against marble. The old man made his way toward the center of the floor, smiling from ear to ear. All eyes followed him. When he made it to his destination, he looked up at the Elders.

The Grand Elder groaned, rubbed his temples, and let out a deep sigh. Then, he leaned forward in his chair. "Councilman Sete, if you have something to say, please return to your-"

“Come on, Chandler,” the old man said with a twinkle in his eye. “Everyone knows you’re only in that seat because of my leave. My temporary leave, I might add.”

The Grand Elder continued to glare, but he remained silent. The Councilman was right, of course. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he signaled for the old man to proceed.

Sete’s face glowed with pleasure at the exchange. Then, he turned back to address the chamber. "My friends, it is clear that something evil has arrived in our world.”

The way he spoke caught everyone’s attention. Everyone knew him and respected him. They hung on each word he said.

“But I assure you,” he continued, “they will not set foot in this city, nor will they strike another village. We will not allow it."

Murmurs filled the hall. Despite the respect they all held, attendees whispered among themselves at the boldness of the Councilman’s claim. After what they’d seen, it simply didn’t seem possible.

Councilwoman Vizar, who was in her mid-sixties, stood from her seat. “Is this some game to you, Councilman? You saw for yourself what happened to those soldiers. Imagine if we sent an entire army. I can only imagine that it would be a massacre."

Sete nodded, taking in the woman’s words. "That is a fair point. But clearly, Councilwoman Vizar, you have forgotten that we already possess a weapon that can defeat this threat."

Vizar and the other attendees exchanged glances. The murmuring began again.

Sete was unconcerned. He turned to face the massive chamber doors. "You may enter, Your Highness."