[South Korea near Jirisan National Park, Eminence Headquarters]
[Afternoon 4:27 pm]
...
As everyone speculate on what could possibly be going on behind the scenes, Levent rose his hand. Everyone in the room turned to him in question. As they were about to ask why he was raising his hand, he spoke first.
Levent: "If I recall, tension between the phoenix and hydra clan rose only after their last meet and greet."
"Meet and greet?" Some question, having no idea what that was as they weren't ones to keep up with what other clans do behind their backs. It was then Evan decided to input his thoughts.
Evan: "Meet and greets were simply an annual meeting where the phoenix and the hydra clan came together to celebrate their close ties for many generations. They apparently stopped hosting it due to the last one not going too well."
Chelsea: "What happened in the last one?"
She questioned, not knowing much about any of the clans other than what her sister has told her. Yulius on the other hand, knew exactly what both Levent and Evan were talking about as she spent many late nights, researching about how they came together and why they're at odds with one another today.
All in all, the information she got, all leads back to either the basilisks or the dragon's clan having a hand in the phoenix and hydra clan's dispute. Before she's able to think much of it, she answered her twin's question.
Yulius: "In the last one, the event was going well until an explosion occurred, killing a few and harming many. The phoenix didn't really suffer any lost since they're basically immortal, the hydra clan on the other hand not so much."
Chelsea: "And because of that, the hydra clan couldn't help accuse the phoenix clan of attacking them?"
She inferred, sounding more like a question than a statement. Yulius and others who are aware of the incident agreed to her conclusion to clear her doubts of the situation.
Anyways, Evan went on to explain how the phoenix clan continued to deny their accusations and even offered to heal the injured ones. They obviously decline, being too prideful to show any weakness even in tough times and went their own merrily way.
And after that incident, the phoenix clan tried to make it to them, but...
"BUT?!"
Many exclaimed with all their might, younger members falling on top of one another as they fell flat on their faces, staring intuitively for what's to come next. Some couldn't help but chuckle at their childish antics, certainly a new feeling they won't be getting use to for quite a while. Nonetheless, they don't mind such feelings as it warms their heart greatly.
Back to the story, Evan goes on to say how the hydra clan finally accepted the phoenix clan apology and allowed them to come bearing gifts for them, but as the phoenix clan made their journey to the hydra clan's base, they were attacked.
The surprise attack caught them off guard causing severe casualties on their side. Naturally, they would've been able to bounce back rather easily from such an attack, but they were poisoned. The only thing that can slightly counter their healing abilities.
There just so happens to be so much of it, that one phoenix fell by another, one by one. They were only able to catch their breath when the assailants cease all fire and retreated. Before retreating, they announced that their payback has been fulfilled.
Moreover, the 'all hail hydra clan,' didn't help one bit when it came to pointing fingers. As a result, the phoenix clan accuse the hydra clan of betraying them which didn't end too well for them as their reply on fuel their anger with one another even more.
With that said, everyone's mood turned somber. Truly, from an outsider's perspective, it seemed that both sides were being set up. But neither side were able to fully grasp that as their anger clouted their judgement overall. Resulting in this madness.
Because of this, Chelsea couldn't help but speak her thoughts out loud, as she does better most of the time, when doing so. So, if the phoenix really didn't attack the hydra clan first, then who could've started the explosion?
Many speculate that the explosion was either an accident, an insider's job, or an outsider's job. Accident because accidents does happen, it's just that, that accident harmed a lot of awakeners there, so that was easily marked off as a possible answer.
The second is if there was a member in either one of the clans that purposely planted a bomb. It will certainly be easy since at the time, both clans trusted one another very much so setting a bomb up wouldn't be too hard.
But why would they? If both clans, closely ranked right behind one another and have immense trust with each other, why would either side want to give that up? They have something most in the awakened world don't have, so why would they do anything to break that close relationship?
With that thought in mind, many were about to cross the insiders as a culprit off but left it because there's a possibility someone within their clan wanted to do it out of revenge. But for a singular awakener to achieve that much by themselves is impossible. So, in the end, they ended up crossing it out.
The only likelier possibility is if someone from outside of their clan had something to do with it. Which will make all the more sense as many awakeners within the Great Mythical Beast Clans can agree that the hydra and phoenix clan's peaceful relationship is an eyesore in their eyes.
They have the power and strength to back each other up, making it practically impossible to attack or rage war on either one of the clans. Which was why many were happy that they finally were at odds with one another as it made it easier to get either the hydra or phoenix clan temporary on their side as long as they said their nemesis was either one of them.
As a result, the hydra clan ended up making a peace pact with the basilisks, and so did the phoenix clan with the dragons. Leading everyone to conclude that it was definitely an outsider who purposely broke the phoenix and hydra clan up.
But who is the question?
Yulius thought long and hard, but then an idea popped in her head as she asked, "what are the basilisk full capabilities?"
Lucas immediately answered, "decaying. Their specialties are decaying."
Yulius: "Yes I know that, it's just... Are there any sub-abilities from their decaying attribute?"
"Yes..."
Some answered, as they began to connect the dots while the clueless ones sat there in question, "why don't leave us hanging! Yes what?!"
Levent: "They have sub-abilities from their decaying attribute."
He stated, while the clueless one's groan, "thanks captain obvious, like we didn't know that already!"
Evan: "What he's saying is, their sub-abilities from their decaying attribute is poison."
"Poison?! What does that have to do with anything?!" At this, many palmed their faces. How clueless must one be? They sighed before their chairwoman decided to spell it out for them.
Yulius: "What they mean is, the basilisk clan may have had a hand with the attack on the phoenix clan as they are the only other clan, excluding the hydra clan, that can manipulate poison with ease."
At her explanation, a simmer of "ah's" and "oh's" could be heard throughout the crowd. "Why didn't you just say so?!" Most expressed their frustration while the smart ones couldn't help but be ticked off slightly by their stupidity.
"Wait?! So did the basilisk clan do all this just because they wanted the hydra clan on their side?!" One questioned, earning a bunch of nods from others who agreed with his statement.
Lucas: "It can't be that simple though. Why would they go through all that trouble just to recruit the hydra clan? It just doesn't make any sense."
Jake: "I agree. They must be planning something big."
Chelsea: "I don't think it's only them who are planning something big, but also the dragons."
"What do you mean?"
Many asked, not catching on as to why the dragon clan would have a hand in this. Aren't the dragons and basilisk's natural enemies for many years? Why would they team up with their nemesis just to bring down 2 clans?
While others understood and thought out the other possibilities as to why they temporarily joined forces to ruin the phoenix and hydra's clan relationship. Thinking of the bigger picture, many couldn't help but feel a war soon to come.
Exactly like their master predicted.
Seeing some still confused over the situation, Yulius answered for her twin, "think about it. The basilisks are incapable of causing an explosion that could harm both hydra and phoenix clan. That leaves only the dragon clan."
Without further ado, many understood now that it was not only the basilisks that had a hand in the phoenix and hydra's clan down falling, but also the dragons. But the question they have that is still left unanswered is why? What motives could they possibly have in doing so?
Yulius theorize a couple but requires solid evidence to prove her hypothesis is correct. All in all, this entire discussion is giving both her and everyone in the room a headache. The dragon and basilisk clan really did them dirty.
Hiding for so long, sneakily maneuvering their ways through the shadow in order to obtain their desired needs, for whatever reasons, even if it costed innocent people's lives. Many couldn't help but assume the worse of them, clenching their fists tightly until it turned white.
Only stopping when both their chairwomen soothingly told them to calm down, as the elite's bloodlust swelled up the entire room, leaving some newbies frighten. Quickly, they withdraw their bloodlust and apologize to the ones affected by it, over and over again even after they said it was fine.
Nevertheless, they felt guilt seeping in for unintentionally harming their companions. Once again, an unusual experience to come across, but it just goes to show that even after all the hard ship they've faced in the cruel awakened world, they are still able to show empathy.
Noticing their immense amount of guilt, the newbies nod to one another, steadily making their way toward the elites, and hugged them. Not use to being embraced, their body became tense, but eventually relaxed enough for them to return the gesture.
Slowly but surely, all the guilt went away as the young fledglings assured them that they know, they would never do anything to hurt them in any way, shape, or form. They have their full trust.
Besides, it's okay to let their emotion run loose every once and awhile. After all, it's never good to hold in your emotions. As the second it becomes too much, you'll explode. Never a good thing, whether mentally or physically, it's bad to hold things in.
Finally understanding that, the elites nod their heads before their attention went back to their master who were give them 'the' look.
"What?!" They questioned, receiving a non-believable response in return, "nothing."
Yulius and Chelsea were happy. Their care and trust for one another even though it's only been a couple of months since they've made peace with one another is really something. And they couldn't be prouder.
This is exactly what they hoped for when creating Eminence. A place where awakeners can have a safe place to call home. A place to get stronger without anyone expecting anything from them. A place where they can make connections without expecting betrayal.
All in all, they don't need to have their guard up. Because Eminence is not an organization that will disappoint their awakeners. That was proven many times over by both their chairwomen. Which was all the more reason why they rush to get stronger, to gain unimaginable strength.
To bear unnecessary burdens to relive their master of some, giving them peace of mind. To make Eminence a reliable safe haven, for many other awakeners who weren't fortunate. Eminence will come out on top.
Everyone affiliated with Eminence will make sure of it!
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