For a few thousand years.
Some unwritten rules have been in obeyed by the Six Nations of Mavis in order keep the current peace. But it wasn't so before.
Before then, the numerous and vast nations of Men were divided and always at war. The realm of Elves was scattered and hidden in the deep and dense forests of the south. The Giants rarely interacted with the other races but dominated the large realm of Iceland in the northeast.
The many tribe of Dwarves had decided that forming a nation of their own would be too tasking, since most of them cared more about their crafts than ruling. So they somehow came to a conclusion that allying themselves with the race that dominated whatever region a tribe settled was the best option. Fairies, as always, didn't care for the surface and continued to dwell in the third and last of the three natural labyrinths. The Matrix.
Monsters, back then, were one region divided into eight by the clans, each with their own rulers. Demons, before they waged war on every race, controlled the large realm in the east called the Netherlands.
Then the war of the Seven Flags happened, and the rulers of the Monsters trapped the Netherlands behind the Veil.
But after the descent of the Celestial Mavis, many if the human nations were merged under more powerful nations through politics rather than warfare. The different colonies of elves were united by the most powerful of the light elf families, the Milliana Family.
And the giants allied with the kingdom of Eurasians in the east, forming the former largest nation in Mavis, the Salvador Federation. The dwarves, continued to ally with the races that dominated the region they settled. Fairies, also continued to dwell in the labyrinth.
Monsters, on the other hand, have always stayed separate in the Northern Region. But after the war, the minor clans came together and formed the nation Minora to ensure their safety in numbers.
And thus, the Six Nations of Mavis were born. The Kingdom of Elves, the Elven Empire. The Kingdom of the Amazons, Belaruth Kingdom. The Kingdom of Eurasians and Giants, the Salvador Federation. The two Kingdoms of Titans, the Margrave Empire and The Glavis Kingdom. And the Kingdom of Monsters, Minora.
*
A week after the Information Guild investigation of the north, the news about the unification of the Monsters had spread throughout the continent. Some speculations about the great change being related to the drastic change in the north arose. Kingdoms convened their leaders to discuss how they would act in response to the new nation is Monsters.
Of all the Kingdoms that convened their leaders, only one came to a conclusion that would lead to the peace that had been kept between the Six Nations being broken. Only one nation would make a decision that would lead to war.
*
The Emperor of Margrave called the seven leaders of Margrave together into a hall in the Royal Castle of Margrave. He had called them so they would decide what action they would take on the problem that had spring up north of their kingdom.
The seven men were already in attendance in the royal meeting hall. The first, was the Crown Prince and governor of the capital state of Titan, Tyler Margrave. The second was the second Prince, Theo Margrave, who despite his young age was the advisor to his father, the Emperor.
Then the four governors of Margrave. Garrick Tarrion of Tarrion state. Davison Tevron of Tevron state. Kurt Tamron of Tamron state. And Wallace Torrion of Torrion state. They were responsible for the governance of their respective states under the Empire.
Margrave Empire was a nation divided into five states. The capital state of Titan, and four others. Tarrion, Tevron, Tamron and Torrion.
Then there was the Supreme General of the Margrave Military, Varrion Coridion
The doors to the hall were opened and the Emperor of Margrave, Tristan Margrave, the seventh King of Margrave, walked in the room. The guards who accompanied his stopped at the door, turned and closes the door behind them.
As Tristan entered, the seven men in the room stood up and bowed to him. An action that served as a greeting. Tristan walked to the table in the room and sat in the middle facing his subjects with his sons standing closest to him.
Tristan grunted softly, signalling to the others that they could sit. The my took their sit following his order.
"Let's begin the Margrave council." Tristan said. "I am sure you all know why I called this council."
"Yes father." Tyler answered. "The north."
"Hmm." Tristan grunted and turned to the governors. "So, what do you all think?"
"My king," Davison started. "I believe we should wait and see how the other nations react."
"Wait?!!" Wallace shouted then laughed. "Ha-ha-ha. Do you really think that is the best action to take? It's the monsters we are talking about here! If it was a nation of humans we were talking about, then yes, we could afford to wait a while. But these are monsters."
"Wallace is right." Garrick added. "We cannot afford to give monsters time. From what I heard, those walls have been up long enough for the bonds holding the stones to dry completely. If the monsters had any desire for peace, they would have reached out to the other nations. Or better still, to the five guilds, who are a neutral party. But, they didn't. I believe this only means one thing."
"You believe they wish for war?!" Davison asked.
"If not war, what then?!"
"I don't think we should make such assumptions. We all know that monsters have never raged war on any other races first before. And they won't—"
"According to who?" Tyler said as he interrupted Davison. "As of a few days ago, I used to believe the monsters could never be united under one king. But now, that assumption has been proven wrong. All we know about the monsters come from history, and as this incident has thought us, everything changes. Now we should only believe what we have witnessed ourselves. Maybe monsters have never been the first to wage war, but that doesn't mean they never will."
"But Prince Tyl—"
"Our Prince is right." Varrion added. "We cannot say they do not have it out for us all, but that is secondary. The new nation will pose a great threat to us."
"Exactly." Garrick said. "If this nation is accepted, many things will change. Take trade for example. If this nation, the new largest in the continent, is accepted, our trading with the guilds will not be the same. Many of the things of which only Margrave supplies the international market, the north can also provide. Not to mention our plan to steal some of Minora's lands will no longer be possible."
Then Varrion continued. "And those are only problems related to politics. More important, our military standing will reduce. We'll have to assume their nation will have its own military. And if it does, we will no longer be among this continents military powers. That alone is enough cause for the military."
"Really?" Davison said. "You would wage war just to maintain the military position."
"I know war might seem like our only option." Kart said. "But we should consider all our options. Davison may seem like he doesn't agree, but I know he doesn't agree for a good reason."
Garrick groaned frustratedly, then said. "Davison. I know you are only defending the monsters because your state borders the north. And maybe, because you know if we were to wage war, then Tevron might become a war zone. But think of it this way. If we do not wage war now, then the monsters might. Think of what will happen to Tevron then."
No one said anything for a few minutes after Garrick had pointed out the possibility of war on their lands. Until...
"There's one thing I am still curious about." Theo who had been silent finally said. "Who? Who could be so great that he would be able to unify not just the monsters of the Northern Region but also Minora? Who could be this one true king?"
"True king?" Kurt asked. "What do you mean Prince Theo?"
"The prophecy! This was how it all began. It said that once the one true king returns, then war follows. And whether we want it or not, we will have to wage war on the north. Pick whatever reasons you want. But, this means that the prophecy has already began to come to past. So now I am curious. Who, other than the eight kings and queens of the monsters trapped in the tower, can rule the monsters?"
Emperor Tristan began to laugh as his son finished.
"My son. Finally you mentioned what I was wondering. Who?! Who?! Tens of thousands of years and the monsters did nothing. They lived on their own in the north and remained the same. Yet one person arrives and changes it all. The great change. Really a fitting name."
"But," Tristan continued. "we will go to war whether you want it or not. Another thing you said son." He said to Theo. "So, let us officially begin, the Margrave War Council."
"War council?!" Davison exclaimed. "My king wh—"
"Enough Davison!" Tristan shouted. "I know why you are against it, but that doesn't matter now. Now! I need you all in."
"Varrion." Tyler called out. "Now that this is officially a war council, you have more of a say. Tell me, if we begin to prepare now, when can we be ready?"
"A month should be enough, Prince Tyler." Varrion replied. "We only need a month to get ready for a full scale attack on the north."
"Now," Tristan said. "we will need a more detailed reason we can tell the public about why we are going to war. We need the public to be on our side. The fact that the north broke the unwritten rules will not be enough. We need a better reason to be the first to begin conflict."
"What about the borders?" Theo said. "We've always had little scuffles with Minora in the past, about where their lands end, and our begin. We could say that they trespassed on our lands when they built their wall. That should be a valid enough reason for starting war."
Tristan nodded and smiled. "Hmm! That's perfect!" He said then turned to his governors. "I will need you all to finance this war. After the preparation is done and we have officially declared war on the north, then we can impose a war tax. But before then, it's up to you."
"Yes my king!" The governors responded.
"Theo." Tristan said, then turned to his younger son. "What do you say, will you take this one?"
Theo looked at his father, confused about the question.
"Will you take over this war as commander?" Tristan continued.
Theo's face lit up. He was excited at the idea of leading an army in his first war. "Yes father!" He said.
"Good." Tristan said then laughed.
"Are you sure Theo?" Tyler asked his brother. "You were the one who was worried about the prophecy and the war it spoke about."
"I wasn't worried big brother." Theo replied. "I was only curious. I wanted us to decipher the prophecy so we could be prepared."
"Okay."
"What of the Guardian, my king?" Garrick asked Tristan.
"I met with Lord Emris yesterday." Tristan said. "He has given his assent. In fact, he was excited for once. He actually showed interest."
"Whoa!" They all exclaimed.
The Guardian of Margrave was the second Celestial of War, Emris, who had been their guardian for thousands of years. But, he rarely showed interest in anything they did. Until now, when he showed interest in their war against the north. This was a surprise to them.
"Alright then." Tristan said. "In a month, we go to war!"