As Jake continued up the stairs, he felt a presence. A presence as if watching him from the sidelines. The peeking was not malicious or evil but felt as if it was of concern and goodwill.
Jake ignored the presence and moved through the Cadaverous Banquet Hall. The Most elaborate and fanciful dining hall, second only to the Main Family 'Hall of Delish'. Having 'Sheth-marble' dining table and 50 Black-Ivory Seats with 'Dorisca Bull' Leather, excellent for their temperature shifting properties. Then comes the exquisite cutlery made up of glass as if a jeweller made them with a maiden in mind, and the food served there was so good that it rivalled the Main House.
"Well, once this is all over, I might have dinner here.", Jake sighed.
Continuing his escorting, he was moved to next floor, The Library also known as the 'Bibliotheca Draconis Eburne', opposed to its counter-part The Main Family Library 'Bibliotheca Draconis Abyss' which is mostly allowed to enter by the heirs. Clearly, Jake knew this as well as scorned this tradition of 'Noble Education'.
He walked some more as he reached the steps to the Fourth and Final Floor.
A large corridor encompassing a Single Dark- Purple Coloured Door standing on his path. And a board over the door capturing a single, but significant line.
"White Illusionary Way"
As to show that not all that glitters is gold, while enhancing this proverb in its own way.
Jacob opens the door and enters the Grand Hall, within seated in the Black (Ozx) wooden chair, made by the Dukedom's Finest Wood-worker/Artisan Jolly Ulbas, was Jackson Mercer de Vermont, the 1st born of Erica von Merceron (current Mistress of the Patriarch).
Jacob stood in front of the door, while the knight-guard pushed the door to open.
The door, not much having in weight but enough for 10 knight apprentices to put strength into.
Slowly the door opened, as Jake walked through. The Knights stationed themselves outside the Room.
"Welcome Brother", a person sitting on a black grand-chair across the wide table spoke in a calm but with a glint of pride.
This room had a unique feature that made it different from the other rooms in the Pavilion.
It had Three Major Defensive Array. The Anti-Magic, Anti-Aura and The Silver Archer's Illusion Barrier (providing Detection Nullification and Sensory Nullification).
Within this Room was another Array, a spatial-distortion one at that. This array created a white area within the Room and had the capability to provide an access to their personal weapons, or even items of the ones who are seating on the chairs only.
A long table of the Gonfer tree; one of the hardest Trees in the Damascus Kingdom. With a grand seat on each side of the table and a single golden seat at one of the farthest ends. The structure when viewed from the gate, The golden chair is at the front and at its opposite end is the Black chair made of Ozx on which sat the heir close to becoming the Next Patriarch. From the left was 2 chairs made of Sheth while the right had 3 chairs of same material.
"Brother, please take a seat.", a tom-boyish girl seating on the left side of Jackson spoke as if ordering Jacob.
That is the 2nd born Jane Savina de Vermont, while holding her weapon of choice; a pair of knives. These knives are one of the 7 Sinful Swords that have chosen each Heir of the Vermont Family, during their Debut after their Birth.
These swords can take the form their Master's choose (some differ due the Master's Personality). The Sword that chose her was the Luxure, the Sword of Lust.
"Brother, I will not repeat myself again, you know that right", with eerie grin to Jacob she said.
"Yes, sister", Jacob obliged as to not arise any dispute with her.
As, he proceeded to seat next to the 5th born, "Sit on the golden one, this seat is for those who are worthy of the Title of Heir, not a Cursed bitch.", spoke the 4th born, Johnathan Cres de Vermont.
"Johnathan, speaks the truth brother, sit on the Golden Chair.", Jade Cres de Vermont, the 3rd born spoke simultaneously, supporting the fact.
"Sure, Brother Jade".
Jacob pulls the Golden chair and sits, while he was adjusting, the sound of the Door opening was heard again. This time a boy with lush green hair, walked right in. He had golden eyes and walked elegantly straight to the seat that Jacob was taking before.
This child, who is rumoured to be 'The Child favoured by the Gods' was none other than, Jasper Amor De Vermont as well as the 7th Son of Ashen and the Late 6th Matriarch Elise.
The Child proceeds with a polite greeting.
"Hello Brothers and Sisters, I hope I'm not late to the meeting", he spoke politely.
"No, you're right on cue", spoke Jade.
"Let's proceed with today's meeting on the Topic of The Upcoming Tournaments of Inheritance", spoke Jackson.
"Well Let's start with the Ones taking part in it. This Time.", Jade spoke point out indirectly at Jacob through his eyes.
"I'm In.", Johnathan spoke ecstatically.
"Me too -", spoke Jade "-as well as Janice who is sleeping", Janice raises her hand as if to agree.
"I'm there too.", spoke Jane "And Brother Jackson too, right?"
"Yes, this is my last time participating."
The Gathering occurred every 2 years, The children/heirs can participate in the Tournament of Inheritance for 5 times only and also the minimum age to participate is 7 years. Thus, the child can still attend the 'Gathering' but cannot participate after the age crosses 15.
"Brother Jackson is 15 years now, am I right?", spoke Jade.
"Yes".
The Gathering's Hidden Agenda is to decide the Heir of the Family. This doesn't mean he/she is a permanent Heir, as Once an Heir is selected, they gain a title of 'Luna/Moon's Heir'.
Let's take scenario, if a Family has 5 heirs and one of them gains the title of 'Moon Heir' i.e. at the age of 7, and then every 2 years they are challenged to a title match by the winner of that Gathering, this continues till every 'potential heirs' reached the age of 15. Then the final battle winner of the End Gathering i.e. when the last or the youngest heir is of 15 years. Then all the heirs are to Battle a Last Time, known as the 'Final Battle'. Then, after winning this battle, they gain the Title of 'Solis/Sun's Heir'. Other than this their rankings also change according to the Battle's Outcome.
The winners of the gathering till now have changed significantly, there have been 4 matches till now in which Jackson has won 3 times while Jane has won once.
"I too, will be participate this year.", Jasper said politely.
"What about you brother ?", Jasper asks Jacob in a 'brotherly' tone.
"Yes, Me too.", Jacob replied.
"You will ?!", Jane replied shockingly.
Jane awkwardly stands and then starts laughing maniacally.
"You, you will participate this year, The Cursed Child finally steps in, I see", Jane speaks harshly while laughing.
"Stop it now, Jane", Jackson ordered.
"I see then, this year all of us are participating."
"So then, I hope you all will be worthy enough to battle me, even you Jake.", Jackson spoke with a hint of arrogance in his tone.
"Yes, so if it's all right with you I would like to rest now so, I'll be leaving.", Jacob asks as he gets up from the golden chair.
"Sure, Rest well for tomorrow brother.", Jasper speaks with a sweet 'brotherly' tone.
Jacob walks towards the gate and turns one last time and says," I hope you all rest well too".
As he walks by and closes the door, Jade speaks," 'Rest well' he says and also to us, you sure that he is the same timid, weakling that used to tremble in front of you, brother Jackson".
"Leave him, for now at least. We'll see who 'rests enough' for tomorrow", Jackson's tone hinted a bit of anger but subsided as quickly as it came.
Jacob walks back to his mansion. As he, enters his room, he orders Remvar who was sitting on a chair trying to get a nap.
"Remvar, can you go out just for a bit".
"Ye-Yes Master, at once", a still drowsy old man walked wobbly towards the door and said," If you need anything just shout 'Remvar' and I will arrive immedia-".
Thump!
Jacob closed the door immediately and said, "Yes, I will".
As he turns around to find a bizarre Bluish-Green plaque like structure floating in the air
[Status Screen]
[Status Screen]
Name: Jacob Amor de Vermont
Level: 65 Rank: C
HP: 10,000 / 10,000 MP: 0 [???]
STR: D- (35) AGI: E+ (26) INT: E+ (22)
Blessings: [???]Rank: ??
[Pure Mind] Rank: [??]
[??? Art of Absorption] Rank: [SSS+]
Skills [▼]
[Status Report] [Message (3)] [Help ?/ Tutorial]
As he was watching the plaque trying to comprehend what it was, another 'plaque' appeared.
[WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOU]