As the family of three sat down to enjoy their breakfast, the rest of the world was in a flurry of activity. What was scheduled to happen today was an event that many thought impossible. This Heavens day celebration was a grand spectacle that was to be attended by delegations from every one of the continents major powers. The sects, nations and empire would all be in attendance.
While the 1000-year war ended over 200 years ago and all of the people directly involved (barring the four kings) had already died off. The effects of the war were still evident, even to the current generations. The grudges of old had been passed down and have yet to be fully extinguished. The peace had only been kept due to the deterring force of the Sage's Valley. It was because of this that many were skeptical when hearing that the Sage's Valley had invited delegates from all the major powers.
"Aren't they worried that war will breakout on their door step?" many would say. But only the leaders of the Sage's Valley knew the reasons for their decisions.
*
Prince Charles Solstitium, was the oldest prince of the Solis kingdom, and his appearance made this very clear. From his neatly combed blond hair that was parted in the center to his luxurious clothing, every inch of his being screamed nobility. At the relatively young age of 32, Charles had attained widespread fame by achieving the peak of the reintegration realm (exceeding the average pace by around 10 years). However, Charles didn't succumb to arrogance as he knew that he still fell a little ways behind the peak talents of the Sage's Valley and Aeternum empire.
Right now, Charles was on his way to the Sage's Valley, he had been chosen as Solis kingdom's representative to the valley a job that he volunteered to do. Out of all the opposing forces within the continent the nation that had the best relationship with the Sage's Valley was his very own Solis kingdom. While the relationship had been tense at times (especially when dealing with the Peace Force), both parties were generally on good terms and were open to sharing knowledge and resources. However, Charles' main reasoning for going to the valley wasn't this relationship, rather it was another. For the last five years Charles had been having a secret love affair with a member of the Sage's Valley. The girl he had been seeing was a high-level disciple of the Sage's Valley who was soon to become a deacon.
Due to their conflicting status the relationship had to remain secret. The Sage's Valley had a rule that stated; members marrying a person from the outside had to give up their affiliation to the sect or their spouse had to do the same if they wanted to remain in the sect. (this rule was in place in order to prevent conflicting loyalties and (or) betrayals). On the other hand, the Solis kingdom prevented nobles from marrying commoners and since she was Charles was at a loss.
The ideal situation would be for Charles to join the Sage's Valley, but since he was the first prince and most likely candidate to take the throne, he couldn't do this. One also had to consider that Charles had spent most of his life within the Solis kingdom and didn't want to abandon his home. All in all, the two young adults were caught in a catch 22 situation. However, neither of the two wanted to end it.
As the Solis Kingdom's delegation drew nearer to the valley's entrance, they could see its splendor. From the lush vineyards growing fruits of all kinds to the golden fields ready nearing harvest. The meandering river that cut through its center and the exquisite housing that lined the hill side. On the flatter ground near the river there stood the pavilions and expansive amphitheaters from which the sect's instructors held their lectures. There where large plazas that mainly served as practice fields for the sect's disciples but doubled as an all-purpose gathering place for the sect. there were also well-maintained parks and gardens along the rivers edge that were the favorite meeting place for romantic rendezvous in the sect. Finally, there was an imposing arena wherein all the sect's competitions were held.
When the delegation reached the valley's entrance, they were greeted a superlative archway made from the finest of marble upon which were inscriptions depicting the Sage's Valley's role in ending the thousand-year war. The archway as a whole was a display of the valley's; wealth, power and influence.
The outside the entrance was crowded with people. These people were the delegates from a few of the great powers, and as one would expect they weren't getting along that well. Two of the groups present at the entrance had gotten into a verbal altercation that looked like it could turn physical at any second.
The main impetus for this was the delegation from the Blackiron nation of the far north. Their party was led by the third prince Gerald Blackiron who was well known for his arrogant and unruly character. It was this same arrogance that was the cause of this conflict. Gerald believed it to be a dishonor for him to wait in line, so he and his delegation cut in front of the party before them which unfortunately for him hailed from hailed from the Isle of Might.
The Isle of Might were one of the nine sects of the Acies continent and were well known for their stubborn unbending character. Messing with them was like kicking an iron wall, the only reason the Isle of Might's delegation didn't attack Blackiron's out right was out of consideration for the Sage's Valley.
As Charles looked on at this scene, he was unsure of what to do, on one hand he didn't want to get his party involved, but he was also aware that the guards stationed at the entrance were overwhelmed. As an ally of the valley couldn't in good conscious ignore what was happening.
After psyching himself up for a bit Charles stepped towards the two warring groups.
"Can you guys stop; you're disrespecting the Sage's Valley!" loudly shouted Charles to get the attention of both parties.
The unexpected interruption silenced the two arguing parties. The members from the Isle of Might thought about what Charles said for a minute and decided to step back. Gerald on the other hand took offense to Charles' interruption, so he turned his attention towards Charles and the Solis delegation.
"Who do you think you are to interrupt me!" raged Gerald as he fully unleashed his ancestor realm cultivation shocking all those who were present.