In a forest that could only be described as tranquil, animals coexisted in perfect harmony. In a certain part of the forest, divine power overflowed, saturating the air. At the center of this phenomenon sat a monk, chanting sutras.
The monk sat cross-legged on a small island surrounded by a still, mirror-like lake. The sight was serene, as if nothing in the world could disturb him.
"Ah, the gathering is starting again," the monk mused aloud, his powerful voice reverberating through the quiet forest.
"I wonder how this event will unfold this time. Jura mentioned a new Council of Six was formed after the disappearance of the previous six. Let's hope they won't be a disappointment."
With a calm yet commanding tone, he recited, "Namu Amida Butsu." At that moment, the divine energy around him surged, and the forest seemed to awaken. Trees and vegetation grew visibly, their vitality responding to the monk's aura.
"This year's topic is crucial," the monk continued, rising gracefully from his sitting position. Turning to the animals observing him, he said, "Send word to the other sovereigns that I, Pama, will attend."
The animals nodded in understanding and scattered to carry out his command. Some ventured deeper into the forest, where a titanic evergreen tree stood tall. Others raced toward a mountain perpetually struck by lightning. A few swam to a city with a tower piercing the heavens, while the rest sprinted toward a glass castle.
Each carried the same message to the rulers of these places: Pama will attend the conclave.
As the animals fulfilled their tasks, the divine energy in the forest skyrocketed. Across Magia, powerful individuals felt the surge. Even the skies trembled, an unspoken herald of the event to come.
Far out at sea, amidst eternal storms, a gigantic man wielding a spear observed the trembling sky. Turning to his crew, he declared, "Unfurl the sails, men. We shall attend the conclave."
"Aye, Captain Scythor!" his crew responded, working swiftly to ready the ship.
Elsewhere across the world, similar scenes unfolded. Extraordinary individuals rallied their forces, responding to an unspoken call. Rumors spread like wildfire: the conclave had begun, and with it, the foreboding whispers of a new threat looming over Magia.
As powerful presences converged, all headed northeast. From mystical creatures to technological marvels, all sought one destination.
The first to arrive was the Council of Six, led by their grandmaster, Jura.
"Now listen carefully, all of you," Jura's deep voice boomed as they walked through the academy's outskirts. "You may hold power within the school, but here you are merely representatives. Make no decisions without my direction."
As he finished speaking, the surroundings shifted suddenly. One of the six began to speak, "What the heck just hap—" but his words faltered as his eyes locked on something ahead.
The others followed his gaze, their expressions mirroring his awe. Before them stood a massive colosseum, ancient and majestic, its towering structure seemingly reaching the heavens.
"This," Jura said solemnly, "is where the major powers gather to decide the fate of all Magia."
A sudden gust of wind heralded the arrival of a young man in a green Taoist outfit. His carefree demeanor was as light as the breeze.
"Oh ho~ Is that you, Jura?" the young man teased.
"It's been a while, Ventus. You seem well, dear brother," Jura replied warmly, a tone unfamiliar to the Council of Six, who were taken aback.
"He—Headmaster, who is this?" one of them asked hesitantly.
"Let me introduce you to my younger brother," Jura said, gesturing. "This is Ventus, also known as the Emerald Dragon of the Wind."
The revelation left the six stunned, but before they could recover, another voice cut through the air.
"A rare sight indeed—two of my children in one place," said a boy no older than ten, his golden hair gleaming under the sun. Despite his youthful appearance, his presence radiated overwhelming divinity.
"We greet you, Father Genesis," Jura and Ventus said in unison, bowing deeply. The six, still reeling, followed suit.
"At ease," Genesis chuckled, his voice light. "I'm not going to eat you."
Inside the colosseum, seats were marked for various factions: Seven Harbingers, Four Emperors, Four Diamonds, and so on. The Council of Six were directed to the lowest level, while other entities filled the upper tiers, each exuding immeasurable power.
Suddenly, a maniacal laugh echoed from above. A young man with a pink afro and fur coat lounged arrogantly.
"Still looking small as ever, Genesis!" he sneered.
"Pink, you haven't changed. Still tactless as ever," Genesis retorted with mock disdain.
As tensions rose, screens materialized in the air, displaying ominous messages:
[The Fairy King at the Edge of Reality gazes with interest.]
[The Lonely Moon of the Silver Sky shows amusement.]
[The One Who Played with Reality pants with excitement.]
[He Who Walks the Endless Void is watching.]
[The Fire of the Hearth smiles warmly.]
The gathering of legends began in earnest. White Diamond, one of the Four Diamonds, stood first.
"Comrades from bygone eras, we gather to address a dire matter. The seal of Eclipso has begun to weaken."
The hall fell into a heavy silence as the weight of her words settled over them.
A grunt broke the tense silence. One of the Four Emperors, Scythor, spoke with a sharp edge in his voice, "White, is this news certain? Or are you just trying to scare us?"
White Diamond, unshaken, replied with icy calmness. "Yes, it has been confirmed. One of the Elder Stars investigated personally. Oneiros, share your findings."
A young man stepped forward, yawning as though he'd just woken from a deep sleep. Despite his languid demeanor, his presence was as sharp as a blade.
"Yawn~ I checked it myself. The fiends in that area have grown far stronger," he began lazily. "It took me five hours just to kill a single Rank 5 fiend. Worse, the aura surrounding the Blackened Pillar is intensifying. The miasma there is feeding the fiends, making them more dangerous with each passing moment."
Silence followed his report until one of the Council of Six nervously spoke up, "Um… is there a plan to counteract this Eclipso? I mean, do we even have a strategy?"
The room stilled. Magi, another of the Four Emperors, turned his gaze upon the young speaker, amusement lacing his words. "Do you even grasp what we're dealing with? Eclipso is—without a doubt—the most dangerous being in all of Magia."
As Magi's words echoed across the hall, an overwhelming presence descended upon everyone. It was suffocating, an invisible force that pressed down on their very souls. Suddenly, ethereal prompts materialized in the air, glowing ominously:
[The uncaring and lonesome creator is displeased with that comment.]
[The fire of the hearth tries to calm him down.]
[The fire of the hearth has decided to descend.]
[The uncaring and lonesome creator has decided to descend.]
[The fairy king at the edge of reality has decided to descend.]
[The lonely moon of the silver sky has decided to descend.]
Panic spread like wildfire as the hall erupted into a flurry of activity. All eyes turned skyward as the fabric of reality itself began to tear. A cacophony of energy surged, and cracks split the air, each one heralding the arrival of an unfathomable being.
The first figure descended like a comet, wreathed in roaring flames. When the fire dissipated, a young girl no older than nine stood in its place. Her serene smile radiated warmth, and her presence was like the comforting embrace of home.
The second figure emerged from a curtain of moonlight. It revealed a woman clad in a flowing white dress, her face partially obscured by a black veil. Her aura was one of profound mystery and aching loneliness.
The third figure appeared amidst a cascade of flowers and leaves. As the greenery fell away, it revealed a boy of about fourteen with iridescent wings shimmering like a kaleidoscope. He exuded a playful, carefree energy, though his power was undeniable.
Finally, the fourth figure descended wrapped in swirling clouds. He was robed like a Taoist monk, his eyes blazing with wisdom and restrained fury. Unlike the others, his presence was all-encompassing, shaking the very foundation of the colosseum. The air around him vibrated with untold power, as though reality itself struggled to contain him.
The sheer might of these beings was overwhelming. The colosseum seemed to groan under the weight of their arrival, and the gathered councilors felt the tenuous grip of existence fraying at the edges.
The Conclave had truly begun.
To be continued…