Three weeks have passed since the incident in Kera. There were no other invasions, but there were many dungeon breaks. The force separating the two worlds seemed to weaken, but humans fought well.
The world was changing slowly as the times did as well. A sudden influx of awakeners took the world by storm as more and more abilities rose to the surface. A new generation of warriors appeared that differed significantly from the ones before.
A group of guilds appeared that did not seek to register themselves in the system and didn’t answer to the government. This was against the laws of the World Order, which governed awakeners. Their reasons for this are distrust in the rulers and mimicking the actions of a certain guild.
Rumors of Ascent recruiting stormed the world in a matter of a week. Every new awakener inspired by Arthur Silvera’s speech sought to join it, which resulted in every nation criminalizing the guild. However, it did not increase the number of people seeking to join.
Their reason was simple: Arthur Silvera has defeated the most powerful calamity to appear. Research is still ongoing on how he managed to pull such a feat, but they are clueless. However, it was one thing for sure: If Arthur Silvera could do what Astra-rankers couldn’t, his guild had more chance of survival.
The gears of advancement turned, marching humanity to new realms. A peace that has lasted for over a hundred years has now been broken. The people of the world realized that it was only a matter of time before their battle arrived.
In the uninhabited lands, where no government reigned, and monsters were in every corner, a group of people teleported into a valley. They wore black cloaks with a silver lining. The group of people stood with wariness written on their faces.
“Are you sure this is the place, Miko?” asked one of the elders in the group, whose eyes were both white. A scar that looked like an x-mark was over his head, running atop his eyes. “We must retrieve the heir at once. Otherwise, the monarch will turn his back on the teaching of our ancestor.”
“We have no choice. The creator has our prince a hostage,” said Miko while staring at the sky. “The guild should be here, but they won’t show themselves unless we send the signal.”
“What a humiliating sight for the great assassins of Berilo to be pulled around by a brat,” said a giant warrior before he spat. “I would behead him if not for the prophecy.”
“As if you can,” sneered Miko at him. “Arthur Silvera is the creator for a reason. Do you think that you can defeat Amelio as he did? I think not.”
“You have always been protective of him,” said the old man as he combed his beard. “I wonder why you still do that after what he chose that woman over us.”
Miko was silent, but her expression darkened. The group wandered into the fog before they took a flare gun and shot it toward the sky. A red star overlooked the valley before a deep bell rang. Then, the fog began to clear from their view.
“It is a wonder how much he can accomplish in three weeks,” the old men stared above. “A barrier conceals a vast expanse of land and teleports whatever comes its way to the other side. This is a marvelous hole in space.”
The barrier before them was an energy field, and a tremendous golden door materialized in it. After reaching the door, the group of three stood proud in front of it and announced their identities.
“We are the envoy from the Berilo Kingdom!” shouted the giant man with a ferocious voice. “Call the creator out!” he roared, but no one answered. Instead, the doors of the golden gate opened to reveal a flower field with a stony path in the middle. “Such disrespect!”
“Respect is earned, not demanded,” said the old man before he entered. “We will meet the creator and clear the air. We have indeed treated him poorly so far because of our doubts. Let us take this chance to resolve this, as long as the young master is unharmed.”
After the three entered, they found a massive field full of yellow flowers dancing in the wind. There was a gazebo in the middle of the flower field, where a small couch had been placed. Atop the sofa was a lady with green hair, reading a book as her hair danced in the wind.
“Excuse me,” muttered Miko as the group stopped in front of the pavilion. “Are you a part of Ascent Guild? We are looking for Arthur Silvera….”
The woman turned toward them, and it shocked Miko speechless. It wasn’t just because of her beauty, which would charm any man or woman, or the plants that grew around her couch. Instead, Miko was speechless because of her identity.
“You are… Princess Tiara!” muttered Miko with shock, and the woman nodded with a smile. The two men were also confused about why one of the seven families was here, but they got ready to fight, and so did Miko.
“Worry not, dear guests,” said Tiara before she closed her book and pointed toward the distance. “Follow this path, and you shall find the creator. He has been expecting you, along with your prince.”
“Prince Kirk is well?” muttered the old man with relief. “It seems we can avoid a deadly fight. However, I wonder what the descendant of the Healer Guardian is doing here?”
“A vacation,” replied Tiara with a smile before returning to her book. The group was speechless before the giant man was about to step toward her, but the old man raised his hand.
“I would like to have one as well, hoho,” the old man laughed. “Excuse us, Young Miss of Janea. We shall take our leave.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Echoless,” said Tiara while reading her book. The old man paused before he continued to walk down the path. The two followed after him while glancing back at the woman.
“Master, that woman knows your identity,” frowned Miko with unease. “A few in the world only know your name. Should we attack her?”
“We are no match,” said Echoless with a smile. “We can strike in the dark, and we might win. However, we are no match to her in a field she created.”
“What is that creator doing by allowing the seven families so close?” grumbled the giant man. “Has he let his guard down because he defeated Amelio?”
“There are things we don’t know too,” Echoless said. “However, we have been walking for a while, and this field isn’t ending. We might be in a loop.”
“The exit is gone too,” said Miko as she turned. “Princess Tiara is nowhere to be seen anymore. Is it possible that we walked into another barrier?”
“It matters not because we are close to him,” said Echoless as he stared ahead. “I can feel his presence.”
The group kept walking until another house appeared. This one looked ancient, with bamboo surrounding it and leather covering its roof. As the three reached the door, it opened.
“Hello,” said the man who appeared from behind it. His golden eyes told them their identity, making Miko and the other young man flinch. “There is no need to be so afraid. Please come in.”
Arthur Silvera didn’t wait for them to say anything before he walked inside. Echoless followed him, and his feet made no sound as they walked atop the wooden floor. The creator led them toward a room inside the house, where Kirk Berilo was seated. It was a dining room with a low table on the ground, filled with food.
“We were about to start eating when you arrived,” said Arthur Silvera, but there was food for them as well. “Please, have a seat, and let’s talk terms.”
“Young Master!” called the giant man whose head almost touched the ceiling. His wide jaws clenched together as he saw Kirk Berilo eating without a care about their existence. “What have you done to him?”
“Sit down, Azrael,” said Kirk without lifting his head. “The creator hasn’t done anything, but we aren’t leaving this place until we hear what he says.”
“We can leave as long as we desire it,” said Azrael as he threw out his arm. However, Echoless simply sat down without another word and started eating.
“The moment we entered this house, we became under his control,” said the old man as he took a pair of chopsticks and began eating. “It is best if we hear what he demands in return for the prince.”
Miko and Azrael were speechless before they turned to look at the young man who was eating without paying attention. Miko was hesitant, but she was the first to sit. Then, Azrael sat down as well. After their meal, Arthur Silvera cleaned his mouth with a piece of clothes before smiling at them.
“A proper host always talks after offering a meal,” said Arthur with a smile. “Let us start the negotiations between my guild and the Berilo Kingdom.”
