The carriage rolled to a stop at the end of the big city, beneath the towering gates of a massive castle, its stone walls looming like ancient sentinels against the night sky.
The castle of the country once known as Chronothia had an asymtrical design, with towers of varying heights and styles, giving it a whimsical yet imposing appearance. The main keep rose high above the rest, its battlents silhouetted against the starry sky.
Each tower was adorned with crenellations, and so featured decorative spires that pierced the sky, while others were capped with dod roofs, showcasing a blend of architectural influences from different eras.
The castle's facade was weathered but majestic, with ivy creeping up the stone. Stained glass windows glinted in the moonlight, hinting at the opulence within.
"FINALLY, WE HAVE ARRIVED!" Leonardo exclaid enthusiastically as he flung open the carriage door.
G leaned against the opposite side, his expression sour. "Remind again why we had to travel with him in a carriage?"
"Because we only had one carriage, and the captain ordered us to co to base imdiately," T explained patiently, stepping down onto the cobblestone path.
"Ugh," G replied, clearly unimpressed.
"WHAT'S WRONG, KID? YOU DON'T SEEM EXCITED!" Leonardo shouted, his energy unabated.
"DID YOU HAVE MOTION SICKNESS?" He added, wrapping an arm around G's shoulders in a playful gesture.
"Shut up, baldy! May I remind you that I am your senior?" G snapped back, shaking off Leonardo's arm.
"CO ON, IT'S JUST A QUESTION!" Leonardo insisted, grinning like a child.
"Why can't I just kill this man?" G grumbled under his breath.
"Because the captain said not to kill each other," T reminded him.
"Then I will beco captain," G declared defiantly.
"Says the one who can't even beat ," T retorted coolly.
"What?!" G barked in disbelief.
Just then, a voice called out from the side. "I see that you have arrived."
"IT'S YOU, VICE CAPTAIN!" Leonardo shouted as he spotted the man approaching.
"I see you're as energetic as always, Leonardo," the vice captain replied calmly as he drew closer.
His eyes were closed, and his deep midnight-blue hair was styled in a tousled manner, with dium-length strands and long bangs partially covering his forehead.
He wore a Tyrian purple suit over a black shirt, and a golden dragon ring adorned his right index finger.
An aura of authority surrounded him; even without his eyes open, it felt as though he could see straight through to their very souls.
His presence exuded confidence and authority, making it clear that he was not a man to be underestimated.
Everyone bowed before him—everyone except Leonardo.
"Please lift your heads; I am just a comrade, nothing more," he said with a wave of his hand.
"HOW ARE YOU, VICE CAPTAIN?" Leonardo asked eagerly.
"Will you ever shut up?" G muttered through gritted teeth at Leonardo's enthusiasm.
"I'm doing alright in this trash," the vice captain replied dismissively, referring to the world around them.
"Anyway, let's make our way inside; the captain is waiting for us with the others," he continued.
"Wait, everyone?" G asked.
"It ans she will also be there," he said nervously.
"Co on, Glenn, she is not that terrifying," T said.
"Hey! Who said I am scared? And Tanya, who gave you permission to say my na?" G shot back as they walked toward the massive door.
As they neared the entrance, two imposing guards clad in dark armor stood sentinel by the door. Their expressions were stern as they nodded at the vice captain before stepping aside to allow them entry.
Leonardo's gaze lingered on the guards' eyes as they passed. "There's no sign of life in their eyes," he thought to himself. "They're like moving dolls."
The great hall beyond the doors stretched vast and imposing, its high ceilings supported by ancient timber beams. Their footsteps echoed off polished stone floors as they made their way along a rich red carpet. Hooded figures lined the path, saluting silently as they passed.
"Sothing must be up; no wonder the other four are here too," Leonardo thought as he walked on the red carpet.
At last, they reached a heavy wooden door adorned with intricate carvings. It creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room beyond. Inside, four hooded figures and a man were seated at a round table.
A single chandelier cast a pool of light from above, leaving much of the room in shadow. The man was smoking a cigar in the shadows—his face partially obscured but revealing sharp features.
The man at the table leaned forward, the ember of his cigar briefly illuminating sharp features. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with spiky white hair and striking pink eyes that seed to glow in the low light.
"Finally, you're here," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "Now we can start the eting."
"Yes, Captain; we're here just as you requested," the vice captain replied smoothly.
"You're looking fine as always, Max," the captain complinted him casually.
"Could we start now?" ca a heavy voice from a giant cloaked figure from the right side of the captain."You never have patience, do you, big brute?" teased a feminine voice from near him.
[CLAP] [CLAP]
"Everyone, please calm down. The rest of you take your seats—Leonardo too," said the captain firmly.
"What is he plotting? Did he find out about my plan?" Leonardo's mind raced as he took an empty chair at the table.
"I want to start with so sad news to get it out of the way," the captain continued, his tone shifting from casual to serious. "Dario has been killed."
A heavy silence fell over the table; no one reacted except for Leonardo.
"What? Dario has been killed? Who could do that?" Leonardo thought in shock.
"I know he was the weakest among all of them, but a normal person couldn't kill him."
"Max, would you be so kind as to explain more details, since you were stationed with Dario in Pandora?" the captain requested, looking at Max, who was sitting on the other end of the table in front of him.
"Thank you for allowing to speak," Max replied as he reached inside his suit for a folded piece of paper. "Here," he said, tossing it onto the table.
"This is the one who killed Dario," Max explained.
Just as the captain opened the paper, Max spoke again: "His na is Viktor Diaz." The na echoed ominously through their minds; it marked not just an enemy but perhaps an insidious threat lurking closer than they imagine.
"He is the ruler of Pandora and leads 'Los Lobos,' the sa person who killed the king of Pandora," Max added ominously.
"Oh, so this is Viktor—the one I've heard so much about," the captain said as he examined Viktor's drawing closely.
"Dario died because he was reckless and wanted to gather information up close," Max said, showing no hint of sadness on his face. "I suppose he thought bravery was worth more than his life."
"Or perhaps he just wanted a front-row seat to his own funeral," Mike added with a smirk.
"He was quite the impatient one, but this Viktor—his last na is 'Diaz'—I think I have heard it before. There was a powerful duke in Pandora... what was his na?" the captain said.
"Do you an Duke Lucian Diaz?" Max responded.
"Yes! What happened to him—"
"For this ridiculous reason, we were summoned here..." interrupted a voice from the left side of the captain.
"Of course not, Mike," replied the captain sharply before continuing. "The real reason I have summoned you all here is to discuss the Gate."
"As you know, to open it for Queen Silkaya and her army to enter our realm requires significant negative Zor energy. To achieve that goal... we need to destroy ZEP."
"But the Draconis Empire is far too strong for us to defeat—even with all our might."
The big man interjected skeptically. "So what's your plan?"
"I was thinking we might gather so new allies."
"New allies?" The brute echoed doubtfully.
"Yes, Igor. And we have the perfect opportunity."
"You don't an... The Clans of Higashihara?" Max smirked knowingly at this revelation.
"Inford as always, I see," the captain said, regarding Max with one open eye before continuing.
"Just as Max said, we should seek help from the seven noble clans. The timing couldn't be better; they will be holding their eting for the first ti in 16 years next week."
Furthermore, the empire already suspects them of having an alliance with us."
"But will they help us?" Mike asked cautiously.
"Of course not," replied the captain flatly.
"We will make them." His voice dropped to a nacing whisper that sent shivers down Leonardo's spine. "This world has taken too much from us; it's ti we return the favor in kind."
"So: Max, Mike, Zoya, Igor, Lewi, Tanya, Glenn, and Leonardo..."
Leonardo blinked in disbelief. "?"
"Yes! Soone has to fill Dario's spot." The captain smiled darkly at him.
"We will depart in three days to survey the area and devise our plan."
"We will split into pairs: Max with , Mike with Igor, Tanya with Lewi, Glenn with Zoya, and Leonardo will leave tomorrow for Midono, where the eting is going to take place to gather further information from locals about their eting."
"No! Why do I have to go with her?" Glenn shouted suddenly as he pointed at Zoya.
"I am perfectly fine with it," Zoya laughed lightly, her confidence radiating through her hooded cloak.
"Please, Glenn, I thought you were a good match and that you loved each other," said the captain, holding his index finger to his chin.
"The last thing I want is to have a lover like that!" G exclaid.
"Is that really what you think of ?" Zoya said dramatically.
"See? She has already started teasing !"
"Okay, okay," the captain said, clearing his throat.
"Does anyone at this table have issues with their pairing? If so, please raise your hand," the captain asked.
No one lifted their hands; even Glenn was unable to do so as Tanya clamped down on his arms and mouth tightly.
"Mmmph!"
"Mmmp!" Glenn struggled to find his voice.
"Then the eting is over. Everyone, please go to your assigned rooms," concluded the captain firmly.
Everyone got up and left, except for Max and the captain.
"What is it?" the captain asked Max.
"Niko—you know exactly what it is," Max replied quietly but firmly. "Why do we care about more allies?"
"With your Shakti alone, we are more than enough."
"I just want this trash to end."
"Calm down! We need to take this slowly." Niko's tone softened slightly but remained intense. "I am also eager for revenge against this world."
"And more than and you—and more than anyone else—she wants this world to burn to ash."
"So, will you do to the clan leaders what you did to all of them?" Max pressed further into Niko's resolve.
"Yes... that's our only option," Niko replied.
"Although I won't have possession of every clan leader, I only want the strongest one."
"I understand," Max nodded.
"And what about Leonardo? Why did you choose him to replace Dario?"
"He hasn't even achieved Shakti yet?" Max asked.
"Neither have Tanya or Glenn," Niko countered.
"But they have more Negative Zor energy than Leonardo," Max argued.
"I understand, but I believe Leonardo could be very helpful once he achieves his Shakti..."
"And I will do the sa to him as I did with the others once he achieves it," Niko stated resolutely.
"Worry not; this world will get what it has done to us," Niko said, getting up and walking towards the door.
"Rest for now, and make sure when this world ets its end, your eyes are wide open to see it." With that, Niko left.
Max pulled out a delicate locket from around his neck, its silver surface glinting in the soft light as he carefully opened it.
"Naomi," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "I will look at your face when this world is ending. I know you would hate so much for this if you were here, but at least the souls like you will be granted heaven without suffering in this world."
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