The massive door boomed open to let in the thousands of foot soldiers marching in unison. They were escorting the patriarch of the Eastern First Clan; the one they call the Eastern Dragon.
The Dragon surveyed the surroundings and was content of what he saw. There was never any real need but it has been his habit since he was young.
He was never comfortable even with so many soldiers around. He reflected that being in the middle of an army was not really secure even when he was younger.
This memory brought up the face of his younger brother, the one they jokingly called Lizard because of his small physical frame. That one was ever the schemer maybe because he knew he was no match for his older brothers.
Lizard caused the small scar on his left cheek. He smiled fondly upon recalling how he got that.
Family...the ones that love you first.
Also the ones that hurt you the most.
He touched the ring on his right middle finger and felt the absence of the tiny jewel that would have been there had his daughter not run away with it.
The Frozen Flame was with his family for as long as anyone could remember. It was the symbol of their strength and their triumph over impossible odds.
Their family did not get to the top of the criminal underworld by taking the easy path.
They built their empire on top of a mountain of bones.
He regretted nothing. His was a destiny that is bigger than any of his personal sentiments.
He nodded approvingly as his limousine reached the driveway of one of his mansions scattered across the globe.
This was the designated meeting place for tonight and the fleet of luxury vehicles following him is an indication that something important was going to go down.
His personal bodyguard opened the door and he respectfully bowed as the Dragon alighted.
All the people around were expecting him and have taken that bow as a signal to simultaneously show their respect and obeisance.
The mansion was filled with servants and bodyguards but no one could hear even a murmur. Such is the discipline among the household of the Eastern Dragon.
He went to the small room adjoining the conference hall and called his personal secretary for a short briefing. When he was satisfied that all was ready, he made his grand entrance.
He always hated that but it was expected of him. His audience adores grandeur. It was a small matter to grant them this. So he did.
He was a magnanimous and generous host, after all.
They all stood and bowed.
"I call this meeting to order," he said as he waved to the massive brazier which promptly burned as he did.
The younger head of their family did not disguise their amazement but the older ones remained impassive.
He nodded to these ones and these alone. These are the old lions and hyenas, always ready to pounce when he showed weakness.
"There is but one agenda on the table," his secretary said and everyone sat straighter in their chairs.
"The Alignment is at hand. Only a few celestial months from now. How are we on the Guardian Locks?" he asked no one in particular but he was sure that everyone is eager to get to his good side and answer.
"The locks are weakening and if all goes according to plan, they will crumble long before the Alignment," one of the old lions answered.
"And the war?" he asked with a neutral voice but they all know they had to be careful with their answers
"The war is at a stalemate," said Walter Lee, his second in command. He was the only one who could have answered in that manner and not get his fingers chopped off. A stalemate is almost tantamount to admitting failure.
"You have to understand, revered patriarch, that we cannot push it for as far as we can without risking to be pushed back as hard," he added.
"How did that come to pass? Did we not spend all our time and resources lighting up wars across the world just so that we would not be facing an all out war before the alignment?" the Eastern Dragon roared.
"To think that we would be the only one who saw it that way is not only foolish, it's dangerous," one of the old guard, Alexandre, bluntly countered.
The Eastern Dragon levelled a deadly gaze at Alexandre but the Italian belonged to one of the most influential families in Europe and he did not back down.
"Foolish...I have not been called that since I was four. You are a brave man, Alex," he said quietly.
"Forgive me, patriarch, I was merely stating the fact that force calls to force and the other side have not been sitting idly all these years. They have started matching our numbers and they have been willing to throw caution to the wind. They also know what's at stake." Alexandre lowered his gaze. He knew it was not the time and place to challenge the Eastern Dragon.
"Time, however, is on our side," said Walter.
"Explain."
"The locks weaken even if the war has stagnated with no one gaining clear advantage. The damage to the collective psyche had snowballed enough to reach a critical point."
"It is not within us to wait for outcomes. Is there another way? We must not rely too much on the random."
"The God Portals?" suggested one of the younger heads.
"Those are useless. There was never anyone who managed to enter those," Walter reminded them.
"What if we tell you now that we have found fragments of the Lost Islands?" He sounded smug.
"The Lost Islands is a myth. No doubt concocted by our enemies to make us chase our collective tail. The south east area of the Pacific had been scoured from end to end," Zhu, the Eastern Dragon pointed out derisively.
"You will not see it on the sea, you reverence. The obscure writings seized from the street dwellers were apparently true to some extent." He was excited that this could elevate his status and had not noticed the other's disdainful look.
"You will not have me waiting…" Zhu warned the young upstart.
"One of the writings indicated that the path to the mythical Lost Islands lie in the mind of one John Bernardo, a game developer, your reverence."
Zhu and Walter exchanged glances, one that did not escape the eye of the more observant ones.
"Have men looking for the Bernardo person. Bring him to me within the week. Meanwhile, anyone of you who breaks the stalemate will be rewarded greatly." He waved to the brazier and the glow immediately dulled signalling the end of the meeting.
As the others filed out quietly, Zhu signalled for Walter to remain.
"Do you think that upstart was baiting me?" he asked his adjutant. Walter was his boyhood friend and showing doubts in front of him was tolerable. This one was never the opportunist.
"It is always possible but it might have just been a coincidence. We found him, right? It's not that impossible for anyone else to decode the Baybayin."
"I thought we had him. He was so close to breaking. His will was the strongest I have ever seen but we had the resources to bend it. How did we let that one go?"
"There was a traitor in our midst. To think that we have not been able to see that bothered me greatly," Walter sighed.
"No one couldn't have. Even I did not see what Ora was planning," Zhu squeezed his friend's shoulder.
"John lost his mind but not his will. I was surprised there was anything left in him to even walk past the door but the son of a bitch did it." There was a hint of admiration in Walter's voice and it did not escape Zhu's notice.
"Did he even have the key?" he was mostly talking to himself but Walter answered.
"The Baybayin Scrolls we found from the street dwellers practically named him as the architect who created a way to hide the Lost Islands. Whether he has the key or not, he was a valuable figure."
"Make sure they find him, Walter. Him and Ora both. They have something I need. The Claw failed but I think it was more out of compassion. Send someone without a tie to my daughter."
Walter's eyes were unfathomable as he looked hard to his oldest friend but he nodded.
He knew exactly who to send.