Cat's expression remained solemn, her eyes reflecting the gravity of their situation. "He has suppressed all neighboring kingdoms beneath his dominance, and soon, there will be no safe haven for us on this planet," she emphasized, her voice laced with urgency.
Dango, a revered member of the Council, interjected, his expression equally somber. Though appearing to be around the same age as Cat – comparable to a human in their late 70s – Dango was the youngest of the Jyuran' Slayers, currently living his fourth life.
"Is there even a safe place for us now?" Dango asked, his tone infused with concern.
"So what do you suggest we do now?" Mat, another esteemed Council member inquired, his voice measured and his eyes, filled with determination, locked gazes with Cat.
His dark hair cascaded down to his shoulders, framing a youthful appearance that belied his middle-aged appearance.
He's the second-youngest member among the Jyuran Slayers, he has already lived through six previous lives and is now in his seventh incarnation.
"There are no more witches to seal him; only the Jyuran can vanquish him utterly," Mat continued, his words conveying the desperation of their plight. "Shouldn't we find him? Perhaps our only hope lies in locating the Jyuran."
Cat's solemnity persisted, her expression unyielding. "Jran's malevolent spirit, which spawned Dahra, poses an insidious threat. We cannot guarantee the next Jyuran will resist his dark influence. He may succumb to Jran's dark, vengeful soul, risking possession and perpetuating the cycle of destruction."
Cat's words painted a dire picture, underscoring the perilous consequences of their quest.
"The resentment Jran harbors toward the thrones is a toxic legacy, imperiling our very future."
"Even if tracking down the Jyuran is our only recourse, do you genuinely believe we can succeed in locating him considering Cat' sister has taken the Krara to an unknown location?" Kit, a venerable member of the council, interjected.
As one of the oldest members, Kit had lived through ten cycles of life and, like Mat, was in the prime of middle age. Her wise eyes, tempered by centuries of experience, narrowed slightly as she posed the question.
"That's indeed a crucial point," Bilibi, another respected council member, added. Also in her tenth cycle of life, Bilibi's brown, closely-cropped hair fell across her forehead, partially obscuring her expression.
"We can't even confirm whether the Krara has selected its wielder. It's been sealed away for five centuries, ever since Cat's sister took a reckless measures to safeguard it." Her voice rose, frustration evident beneath her measured tones.
Bilibi paused, her gaze sweeping the council chamber before continuing, "Had the Krara remained here, we might have held onto hope for its cleansing and the selection of a new wielder – one capable of vanquishing the corrupt essence of Jran that still lingers within. Now, with its whereabouts unknown, our prospects seem increasingly bleak."
The gravity of her concerns was palpable, her partially hidden expression highlighting the urgency of their situation.
"Perhaps Dahra's dominance wouldn't have reached such catastrophic proportions if your sister had adhered to our time-honored protocols and followed the established plan, as we have consistently done in the past when subduing rogue Jyurans," Bilibi remarked, her voice tinged with regret and disenchantment.
She shook her head repeatedly, her gaze dropping to the floor as if the weight of her words was too burdensome to bear.
Cat, sensing the gravity of Bilibi's reproach, descended from the platform and approached her, seeking to mitigate the tension. "My sister must have had a compelling justification for her actions," she countered, her eyes locking onto Bilibi's, filled with a mix of conviction and defensiveness. "She undoubtedly did what she believed was necessary for the kingdom's well-being."
Dango, his frustration and incredulity palpable, interrupted the exchange. "By depriving us of our sole hope and plunging our world into unrelenting anxiety and despair?" His firm tone cut through the murmurs within the council, demanding attention.
"Despite being her own sister, she didn't entrust you with the Krara's location," Dango pressed on, his words laced with dismay. "What conceivable reason could she have had for stripping us of our only hope and..."
"At least we're all still alive!" Rildeo, a hitherto silent member of the council, intervened, his voice commanding silence and quelling the rising murmurs. His calm, measured tone served as a poignant reminder, tempering the emotions in the room.
As Bilibi's twin brother and one of the council's most senior members, Rildeo's eleventh life cycle had imbued him with profound wisdom. His striking resemblance to Bilibi emphasized their deep bond, while his bald head and slender physique presented a stark contrast to his twin sister's features.
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Rildeo, as his words hung in the air, inviting reflection amidst the turmoil.
"Are we truly alive?" Dango countered, his voice rising in indignation. "Is this existence, constantly hiding in these mountains, really life?" He stood up from his seat, his anger and frustration evident in every tense line of his body. "We're paralyzed by fear, unable to venture beyond this sanctuary without risking detection by Dahra's minions. You call this existence 'alive'?"
His gaze burned with accusation as he targeted Cat, inviting a wave of murmurings in the cavern. "Your sister's actions sparked this catastrophe. She veered from the established protocol for subduing rogue Jyurans. Instead of allowing the Krara to return to Acksalone, she spirited it away to who-knows-where." Dango's tone dripped with disdain.
Cat's eyes locked onto Dango's, her expression measured. "Do you believe Acksalone's power can purify the Krara of Jran's vengeful spirit?" she asked, her voice calm yet probing.
After holding Dango's gaze, Cat broke away, scanning the council members, her eyes ensuring she had their attention. The room had fallen silent, the weight of Dango's words and Cat's question hanging heavy. She turned, ascending the platform with deliberate steps, her gaze sweeping the council once more.
"Comrades, we all understand the Illuminer's power is ineffective against a corrupted Krara," she began, her voice commanding attention. "We must think critically, beyond our emotions and fears. We need strategic solutions, not desperation." Her eyes lingered on each member, emphasizing the gravity of their situation.
As Cat paused, the council's silence was palpable, each member lost in thought, grappling with the harsh realities and the daunting task ahead. Dango slowly returned to his seat and sat down.
"Jyuran Jran's ultimate goal was to reduce Perebia to absolute ruin, but his son, Dahra, has a divergent ambition," Cat explained. "Dahra seeks to dominate the kingdom, and his insatiable greed may prove beneficial for our cause." Her words offered a glimmer of hope amidst the desperation.
However, Thanny, the council's second-oldest member, countered with bleak resignation, his voice trembling. "It's inevitable; we'll soon be captured and dragged to the kingdom for execution. Our fate is sealed."
Despite being in his twelfth incarnation, Thanny's youthful appearance belied his centuries-long experience, having the appearance of a human teenager.
Cat's expression remained steadfast, her voice infused with conviction. "That's not possible, Thanny. My sister utilized nearly half her power to create a magical barrier, rendering us invisible and imperceptible to outsiders, including Dahra and his minions." Her assurance was unwavering.
Kit, however, voiced her concerns, her tone laced with worry. "Centuries have passed, Cat. The shield is weakening; it's only a matter of time before we're discovered and eradicated." Her eyes locked onto Cat's, emphasizing the urgency.
"We must find the Krara, no matter the cost," Kit pressed on. "Our situation is dire; we'll perish either by Dahra's hand or the Jyuran's wrath. But shouldn't we attempt to change our fate? Shouldn't we fight for our survival, even if it's a long shot?" Kit's words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of their precarious existence.
The council chamber remained silent, each member weighing the risks and potential consequences of their actions. The burden of their decision loomed large, as the fate of Perebia hung precariously in the balance.
Cat's expression transformed, her eyes clouding with sadness. "Comrades, I've reached the pinnacle of my existence. This is my thirteenth and final incarnation; I won't experience rebirth again." Her voice, weighted with the gravity of her words.
Yet, even in the face of mortality, her resolve remained unwavering. "But our legacy must endure. Our generation must continue to kindle hope, fighting tirelessly for what is right until our last breath." Her gaze swept the council, her eyes burning with conviction.
"And beyond your lifetimes, you must impart this message to those who follow. Future generations must carry the torch, persevering until victory is secured."
Cat's voice rose, her passion infectious. "You must set an exemplary standard for those to come, guiding them through the darkness. Let no internal strife or discord deter you from your purpose."
The council chamber let out a deep sigh of sadness and plummeted into an unsettling silence, as if the very weight of Cat's words had stifled all breath. The gravity of her revelation hung in the air, each member struggling to comprehend the magnitude of her statement.
Then, with an air of solemn anticipation, Cat continued, "And now, comrades, I must share with you the vision I received yesterday." The council leaned forward in unison, their faces etched with rapt attention, as Cat prepared to reveal the crux of her message.
The silence became even more profound, punctuated only by the soft rustling of clothing as the council members adjusted their positions, their eyes locked onto Cat. The air vibrated with expectation, as if the fate of Perebia itself hung in the balance of her next words.