Chapter 30: The Meeting P1
~30.1~
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Alex's group decided to stay in Arslade a while longer, saying they discussed it and want to learn here. It shouldn't be difficult to include them at the academy. They are talented.
Luma told me about her duel with Lane, then told me about her familial relations. I already knew, thanks to prayers, but she expected as much. Nonetheless, I was happy to hear it from the source. I'm interested in the black wand Lane uses. It must be a newer creation from the system. I may have created the system, but even I don't know everything it's created since then.
Kye was seated on a white stone throne at a large round table, leaning to one side with her head propped up on her arm and a leg folded over the other.
So far, so good. Lane has been safe for the past month, and Lana has been refusing Phantom's orders.
She looked around the room, briefly meeting several eyes. Every person seated was a leader of a civilization, though none of them were sitting on a throne.
Only Kye sat upon a throne.
Next to her stood Allison and Luma. Seated along the wall behind her were Liliana, Aliana, Adele, Michelle, Atalante, Astarte, Astraia, Edward, Layla, James, Draelana, Zen I, Apollyon, Elias, Eliana, Katriel, Kadmiel, and three of her daughters, Rei, Kaylie, and Layla.
Seated to her right was Alethea, her first queen, real name Maya Athas. Seated to her left was Joey, her first daughter, real name Azalea Athas. Sanae stood behind Joey. Five more seats circled the rest of the table, totaling eight. One was still empty.
Just as Kye's eyes fell on the empty seat, which was to Alethea's right, the door opened and three more guests walked in. The leader of the three took her seat, while the other two stood behind her.
"Everyone is here," Kye said, finally breaking the silence. Many felt a cold sweat with just those words. She still hadn't straightened up. She stayed leaning on her side as a statement. "Surrounding Elysium are five satellite civilizations. They are Olympus, Orthrys, Atlas, Erytheia, and Oceanus. There was meant to be a sixth, but... I was interrupted while creating it, and it thus remains as ten realms atop the world pillars. Honestly, I don't know what to do with all of you. Look at the state of Elysium..."
A hologram appeared above the table, showing many places across the greater Elysium. Many beautiful places.
All empty.
"And how did we get to this point? What happens moving forward? Those of you at the table may be wondering who the people sitting along the wall behind me are. You may be questioning why most of us are currently inhabiting mortal bodies. Before all of that, introductions. Everyone seated at the table or standing around already know each other. However, many here do not know those seated behind me. All shall answer with their full name and the place they currently call home. State your true name and true home, if that applies. If your surname matches your home, you may state only your name." Kye pointed at the group from Olympus. "We'll start with you."
"Us?" the man standing behind Adaal protested. "Surely you jest. Should the mortals not be the ones to provide introductions first?"
Kye glared at the man, sending a cold sweat down his neck. "We'll start with you. Right after..."
"One strike of insubordination has been recorded," stated Luma. "Do not cause the King to repeat herself again." She also glared at Adaal's group.
The man gulped. "Very well. I am Commander Zeke Olympus. I-"
"Only your name and home," Luma said, cutting him off. "No further details have been ordered." She glanced at the woman standing behind Adaal next.
She curtsied and said, "I am Vice Governor Jade Olympus."
Adaal stood up and bowed. "Governor Adaal Olympus."
Kye sighed and eyed the next trio.
"Governor Orion Orthrys," said the man seated.
"Commander Irene Orthrys," said the woman behind him.
"Vice Governor Calix Orthrys," said the man behind him.
Kye sighed again and shifted her gaze.
"Governor Noah Oceanus." "Vice Governor Luca Oceanus." "Commander Dimos Oceanus."
Kye let out another sigh and looked at the next group.
"Governor Iris Atlas of Athas."
That sparked a response from two of the previous leaders, Orion and Noah. ""Athas?!""
"You dare call that place your home?" Orion bellowed.
"You must be-" Noah began. He kept speaking, but no sound came from him. Kye cut them off with sound dampening magic.
Iris, undeterred, explained, "Of course I call Athas my home. Do not forget that every one of us once shared the King's surname. Do not forget that we are merely stewards of our civilizations, that Elysium, specifically Athas, is our true home. The three of you who dared to invade Greater Elysium... know your place."
Kye cracked a light smile and looked at the two behind Iris, ignoring whatever reaction Orion and Noah had.
"Vice Governor Selene Atlas of Athas." "Commander Aura Atlas of Athas." "Governor Nephele Erytheia of Athas." "Vice Governor Lazarus Erytheia of Athas." "Commander Sophia Erytheia of Athas."
Kye looked toward her daughter next, who stood up, curtsied, and said. "Princess Azalea Athas." Then at Alethea, who did the same and said, "Queen Maya Athas."
"Sword Saint Luma Athas." "Supreme Commander Seris Athas."
The last introduction earned the attention of every envoy.
"Did you say 'Seris'? As in The Swordmaster?" asked Nephele.
"Questions have not-" Luma began, but Kye waved her off.
"Yes. The woman standing here," she glanced at Allison, "is our mentor, Seris."
Nephele stared down in thought.
Kye decided to continue with the introductions while Nephele gathered her thoughts. "Those seated behind me may introduce themselves now. Some of you, include your numbers."
"Liliana Athas the Fifty-Seventh."
"The fifty-seventh? What is this nonsense?" Orion bellowed. "There was no fifty-seventh!"
Kye glared at him, silencing him instantly. "Continue."
"Aliana Athas the Fifty-Eighth."
"Queen Adele Athas of Elysium." "Queen Adara Athas of Elysium." "Eliana Athas." "Elias Athas." "Katriel Athas." "Kadmiel Athas."
"Atalante Atlantis the Fifty-Second of Athas."
"Your Majesty, may I?" Adaal asked.
Kye sighed. "Very well. Speak."
"Why is this woman claiming the surname of Atlantis? I understand there is a mortal empire under the moniker of Atlantis withing the Ten Realms, but would she not be an Athas?"
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Revision: 2024-9-17