The days had passed, and the awaited meeting day had finally arrived. Fray sat on the balcony around a table, three empty seats awaiting company. His gaze lingered on the moon before he consulted his pocket watch – 9:45 P.M "Two hours left" he mumbled
A faint sound of footsteps reached Fray, and he turned to witness Casper's approach, a smile lighting up his face. "Hi, Master Fray, I'm here," Casper greeted with eagerness.
"Welcome, Casper. Thank you for coming. Take a seat," Fray gestured toward an unclaimed chair.
" Interesting meeting place " Looking at the clear sky offered by the balcony Casper settled into the seat, curiosity in his eyes. "So, should we get straight to the subject?"
"Not yet. There are still others joining us," Fray replied anticipation in his voice.
"Other people?" Casper's surprise echoed in his words.
As minutes drifted by, the clock striking 10:00 P.M., a new set of footsteps resonated. Elisa appeared with determination etched on her face.
(Who is this? He doesn't seem like an ordinary servant,) Elisa mumbled, her eyes fixing on Casper as she took note of his presence.
"Oh, the second lady has come as well!" Casper exclaimed with genuine excitement.
"Thank you for coming, Elisa. Please sit," Fray invited, acknowledging her presence.
"Will someone else join us?" Elisa inquired, her gaze lingering on the lone chair.
"Yes, we'll wait for five more minutes. If he doesn't come, we'll start," Fray declared, his eyes scanning the surroundings in hopeful anticipation.
After an additional six minutes ticked away, Fray faced Elisa and Casper with a disappointed expression. "Alright, let's…"
Abruptly, Fray's words were interrupted by the manifestation of a dark energy portal. Elisa and Casper, eyes wide with shock and alertness, witnessed an old man with a long beard and robe emerging.
(Is this Adam? Did Fray manage to invite him, despite others failing for years?) Elisa wondered, her thoughts racing.
Fray rose from his seat, extending his hands towards the newcomer. "Thank you for accepting my invitation, sir."
"So, it was you who sent that invitation?" Adam's annoyed face questioned. "Tell me, kid, from where did you get that stamper?"
"Please sit, I will explain everything," Fray urged, bridging the gap.
Adam surveyed Elisa and Casper before reluctantly heading towards an available seat. "Do you think it's easy for an old man like me to travel all that distance? If I don't hear something interesting, I'll make you regret it."
"Don't worry. What I have to say will interest you for sure," Fray assured, returning to his seat.
Casper pondered, (Who is this old man? Why is everyone surprised by him?)
Adam Dalma, a magician who had faithfully served the Dalma family for decades, was injured and retired but still influential in the family. That's why the other siblings had tried to put him by their side but failed.
The air buzzed with anticipation as Fray took centre attention, acknowledging the unspoken questions lingering in the minds of his gathered companions. "I know you're all wondering from where I got the stamper in the letters I sent, but I'll leave that matter for the end."
Casper's brows furrowed with confusion, his thoughts echoing in bewilderment, (What? Stamper? Is it the tree drawing? Is it important?)
"As I'm sure you already know, the world isn't as simple as we knew it, but it's even more complicated than you think," Fray continued, setting the stage for a revelation that would reshape their understanding.
Adam, displaying his characteristic annoyance, questioned, "What are you talking about, kid?"
"Look there," Fray pointed to the sky, drawing everyone's attention to an enigmatic reflection of light in the sky mid-air. "Do you know the cause of that reflection, Adam?"
Adam's silence, paired with deep contemplation, left the room in an air of uncertainty.
"Yes, sir. That reflection always caught my attention. Do you know what it is?" Casper, eager for enlightenment, sought answers.
"That reflection is caused by the huge shield surrounding the human continent," Fray disclosed, unravelling a truth that would ripple through the room, leaving shock and confusion in its wake.
Elisa, suspicion tinting her voice, sought clarification, "Do you mean there's a shield big enough to surround the continent and imprison us inside?"
Fray affirmed, "Yes, and I'm sure Adam already knows that." The collective gaze turned towards Adam, who was met with wide-eyed stares from Elisa and Casper.
Adam, adopting a serious tone, probed, "How do you know about that?"
As Elisa's face paled with realization, she voiced her disbelief, "So it's true. How could such a thing be possible?"
Casper, his lips curving into a twisted grin, couldn't help but find the situation intriguing. "Interesting."
Fray clarified, "People like Adam, who reached a certain power and influence, already knew this secret. But no one knows what's on the other side of the shield."
"So, do you know what's outside the continent?" Adam inquired, delving deeper into the mysteries at play.
"Yes, I know." Fray's gaze lingered on the peculiar reflection as he continued, "Tens of thousands of years ago, seven races lived peacefully on separate continents. But a war erupted, and ten thousand years ago, as humans faced extinction, seven heroes sacrificed themselves to raise a shield around the human continent leaving behind them one prophecy ' The shield will collapse after ten thousand years'."
Casper, astonished, questioned, "Do you mean outside the continent, seven races are waiting to destroy us?"
Adam, sceptical, challenged, "Do you think I'll believe that nonsense?"
Fray, undeterred, confidently asserted, "Soon, you will have no choice but to believe me."
Elisa, grappling with the weight of the revelation, uttered a grim assessment, "It's known that our ancestors were stronger than us. If what you say is true, we don't have a chance to survive."
"The seven heroes had another reason behind the shield, giving us a chance to become stronger," Fray revealed, unveiling a glimmer of hope amidst the grim reality.
Adam, intrigued, pressed on, "And what's that chance?"
"The seven races occupy seven continents, but there's an eighth, a land that every race failed to concur—the old continent," Fray disclosed, opening a new chapter of uncertainty.
"The old continent?" Casper mumbled, his eyes reflecting curiosity.
Fray continued, "The eighth continent is an illogical land where the laws of nature are broken. Warriors can become very strong by facing and conquering its challenges, but it holds great danger."
Adam, seeking the crux of their survival, inquired, "And what is the relation between our survival and the eighth continent?"
Fray concluded, "The prophecy left by the seven heroes isn't complete. They said, 'The barrier will collapse after ten thousand years, but just before its downfall, the old continent will call you. Challenge it if you want survival.' This is the full saying." The room hung in a pregnant pause, the gravity of their reality settling in.
"So you're suggesting that we'll journey to the Old Continent to gain strength while the shield still surrounds our continent. Why should we believe this?" Adam's scepticism echoed through the room, mirrored in the suspicious glances of Elisa and Casper.
"All that I've shared is true, and we're the only ones privy to this knowledge. I'm the only one with a plan to face it. But before I continue, I need to know if, after proving the truth, will you follow me ?" Fray's gaze bore into the trio, their expressions a complex blend of doubt.
In the ensuing silence, Casper shattered the quiet with infectious excitement. "This sounds exhilarating! I'm tired of paperwork and mundane office jobs. This seems more thrilling. If you prove what you said is true, I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."
Elisa, more hesitant, glanced at Casper before voicing her commitment. "Me too. If you can prove your words and present a solid plan, I'll stand by your side."
"Thank you, Casper and Elisa," Fray acknowledged, turning his serious gaze toward Adam. "And you?"
"First, tell me why you're interested in us. I can understand wanting those two, they are strong, but I'm old and injured. I can't even use a quarter of my previous power," Adam's voice carried the weight of experience.
The allure of Adam's influence is useful in the Succession battle between the siblings, but against formidable foes from entire continents, his reputation held very little sway.
"In the Old Continent, your body will rejuvenate, and all who enter will share the same physical state. Your current injuries won't matter," Fray explained.
Elisa, surprised, asked, "Does that mean we'll lose our powers as well?"
"Yes, the weak will become strong, and the strong will become weak. Your current power won't translate there. I chose the three of you not for your current strength but for your skills," Fray clarified.
Casper, seeking understanding, inquired, "What do you mean, sir?"
"Entering the Old Continent will reset your physical states, but it won't erase the innate skills you were born with," Fray enlightened.
Elisa, wide-eyed, sought further clarification, "So you chose us because..."
"Yes, Elisa has a bloodline skill, Casper holds a title, and Adam possesses magical energy. These skills will give you an advantage in the Old Continent," Fray disclosed.
Elisa, shocked, asked, "How do you know about my skill?"
"And mine too. Except for Norman, I never revealed my title to anyone," Casper chimed in.
"Just as I was able to learn about the Old Continent, I discovered your skills, but I won't divulge how—at least, not now," Fray asserted.
Adam, observing Casper's and Elisa's astonishment, turned to Fray. "So you do know things, kid. Tell me where you got the stamper, and I'll join you as well."
"The former head of the family is still alive. He gave it to me. But I can't delve into details now," Fray dropped the bombshell.
Shock and disbelief etched the trio's faces, struggling to comprehend.
"Ha-ha, I knew it!" Adam exclaimed with a triumphant smile. "Alright, kid, I'll follow you as well. Now Prove yourself."