At the far end of the lavish wooden table sat The Queen, Christina... Valcaress? That can't be right. I must have misheard her.
I took a peek at Arnold, Mason, and Elaine, their expressions mirroring my own bewilderment. Did we all mishear what she said? That can't be... right?
Before I could dwell on it further, I felt a piercing gaze fixate on me, prompting an uncomfortable shift in my posture. Realizing my mistake, I lowered my head in a gesture of respect and began, "Apologizes, your Majesty. I am Leon Rallen Valcaress, son-in-law of Rafphael Von Astrea and Gloria Von Astrea, the reigning King and Queen of the kingdom of Astreaus."
Elaine gracefully raised the hem of her gown, lowering her head as she did, "Apologizes, your Majesty. I am Elaine Von Astrea, daughter of Rafphael Von Astrea and Gloria Von Astrea, King and Queen of Atreaus, and rightful heir to the kingdom of Astreaus."
Meanwhile, Arnold, aided by Merlin, performed a respectful bow, placing a fist over his heart and slightly bending his torso. "Apologizes, your Majesty. I am Arnold Dainslef Woodstiff, son of Andre Dainslef Woodstiff and Mesmia Eleanor Woodstiff, King and Queen of the Kingdom of Woodstiff."
Merlin, gracefully bowing alongside Arnold, patiently waiting for him to finish speaking before giving her respects, "Apologizes, your Majesty. I am Merlin Eleanor Woodstiff, daughter of Andre Dainslef Woodstiff and Mesmia Eleanor Woodstiff, the reigning King and Queen of the Kingdom of Woodstiff."
Initially hesitant, Mason, the final one to present himself, eventually lowered himself in a respectful bow, placing a fist over his heart while keeping his other arm straight along his back. He sincerely addressed the queen, "I am truly sorry for the disrespect, your Majesty. I am Mason Angel Castellos, son of Carlos Angel Castellos and Maria Paula Castellos. Formerly known as Shadowguard for the King and Queen of Astreaus, Rafphael Von Astrea and Gloria Von Astrea."
Upon hearing Mason's introduction, Christina's expression, devoid of emotion, flickered with a trace of astonishment. Her eyes, previously steady and clear, widened in surprise, and her mouth momentarily fell open before she quickly closed it again.
"Impossible," she murmured softly, her voice barely rising above the gentle winds that whispered around us.
After observing our bewilderment, she returned her face devoid of any visible feelings and gestured with her hand. Instantly, the five chairs nearest her slid back, their legs scraping against the stone floor with an unsettling noise. "Please, take a seat and make yourselves comfortable; this will be a long conversation."
I made my way to her right and settled into the nearest chair beside her. Elaine chose the seat immediately to my right, while Arnold positioned himself directly opposite me, flanked by Merlin and Mason to his left, arranged in that order.
The chairs moved up by themselves, scraping against the floor once more. Sitting up straight to maintain good posture, I caught sight of a faint glimmering light dancing at the edge of my peripheral vision. As I turned my gaze toward that light, I found myself once more captivated by the murals of the two dragons intricately carved into the ceiling of the gazebo.
My eyes widened in astonishment at the remarkable and meticulous artistry of the murals, and I wondered whether the same skilled artisan who crafted the door was responsible for this breathtaking work. Each illustration, depicting a myriad of enchanting and wondrous realms that the universe has to offer, radiated a warmth of love, a spirit of adventure, and a profound sense of fulfillment.
The murals depicted the journey of two infant-sized lizards. The depictions showed the blistering desert, where the lizards burrowed into the sand to evade predators. They scavenged for food whenever it was safe, often resorting to the remnants left by other creatures. Their hydration came from the peculiar, twisted plants that thrived in the barren sandy expanse or from the infrequent rains and rare pools of water.
"Ahem," a voice said that cut through my thoughts, followed by a poke in the stomach that brought me back to the table.
Bringing my attention back to the manner's owner, I prepared myself for the conversation that was about to take place.
"Firstly, I would like to thank you all for coming here directly after waking. As your host, I would normally wait until you were fully recovered before summoning you. However, the matter at hand is beyond the concerns of just the five of you. In fact, this conversation involves not just the three kingdoms but the fate of everything."
Arnold, the first to ask a question, rapped his knuckles on the table three times, signaling his desire to speak.
"The "fate of everything" is a rather broad way of describing something. Can you specify, please?"
"Of course. When I say "everything," I truly mean every single aspect; as you are all aware, the state of the mortal world today is a direct result of the events that transpired during the Holy War many millennia ago. The war's conclusion was a significant triumph for the mortal races against the dreadful entities that had been unleashed upon the realm of Terra.
In this monumental struggle, champions from the various mortal races—humans, elves, and dwarves—united under the leadership of King Gilgamesh Von Astrea, who bravely responded to "God's" call to arms. As for the nonmortals, a war council was called, gathering the most formidable warriors from the ranks of Dragons, Giants, Spirits, Beasts, Insects, and Angels, all of whom rallied to the cause.
As everyone knows, our side had a high chance of winning the war. Our military strength was unmatched, yet the adversary's capabilities were equally formidable. You see, "God" was a lie. In truth, two primordial entities existed at the very beginning of creation. "White," known as "God," had a vision for governing the cosmos, a way that the "other" didn't like.
The contrasting ideologies and beliefs held by these creators led to a series of civil and violent clashes. The most notable was the First Holy War, also known as "The Twilight of The Gods." This cataclysmic war erupted when the "other" became tainted by an enigmatic force, transforming her fundamentally from within.
This transformation, deeply intertwined with mortal kind, led to a catastrophic outcome: the complete obliteration of any possibility for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In a desperate bid to buy some time, White devised a dimensional prison to contain the "other" until he could rally his forces for a confrontation against her.
Standing resolutely alongside White were his War General, Archangel Michael, and thousands of other battle-ready angels, all united in their determination to confront the tainted "creator." They succeeded in sealing her away, but the victory came at a staggering cost. Every angel involved in the battle, with the exception of Michael, was consumed by the "other," transforming into her source of power and unleashing chaotic ripples and distortions across every realm, resulting in supernatural phenomena that echoed throughout the cosmos.
White created a dimensional prison designed to contain the corrupted "other." This prison, designed to contain her, was a realm that would perpetually siphon away her strength, mental resilience, mana, memories, and emotions. The "others" body was subjected to a relentless cycle of disintegration and regeneration, ensuring that she remained ensnared in a perpetual state of both mental torment and physical suffering.
After the war, White understood mortals' formidable potential and the extraordinary powers they could obtain if permitted to evolve unchecked. To address this concern, all mortals were confined to silver cores, forever barred from approaching the threshold of divinity once more.
White failed to anticipate the emergence of a unique clairvoyant ability within a mortal lineage, specifically within a single elven family. In each generation, only one elf is destined to possess this extraordinary power; upon the death of the current bearer, the gift is passed on to another at the moment of their birth. This particular elf, referred to as "The Sage of Insight," was bestowed with the knowledge of future events through a prophecy delivered by the God of Fate. "Granny" foretold of the birth of a child, cursed by a dark force, bringing light to the cosmos and setting everyone free from the tyranny of White and the "other..."
Merlin and Arnold tensed up when they heard of the name mentioned by the queen. This caught my attention, prompting me to give them a questioning gaze before returning to listening.
"...This leads us to today, where the "other" is stirring from her slumber, gathering her strength for her return. "The Tyrant" prepares for her return as he gathers his underlings, corrupts and manipulates the innocent, and reawakens ancient allies for the next war. White, who has only recently recovered his full strength, saves it for the returning "other." Her return is estimated to be within 25 mortal years; should she return, all is lost...
My once-close friend, White, has strayed from the path of a benevolent ruler. The "other," who was once a beacon of righteousness and happiness, has become consumed by what she swore to protect. It's time for a new ruler to take over the cosmos, one who will not limit the technological, magical, and scientific advancement of mortal kind. It is time for a third side to rise and take down the other two, and I am on this third side, as well as many others...
Kaio, the King of all Beasts, the reigning King and Queen of Astreaus, and Samuel Juan Rodrigues, the strongest mortal in history. They have all joined this side under our leaders, the first beings created by the two creators. My reason for bringing you here is simple: Join me and fight to make a truly free world for yourselves and your children," Christina pointed to Elaine, to which I turned to face her with a questioning look. She squeezed my right hand firmly, shook her head, and silently mouthing, "Not here."
"This also goes for Ifrit and Zephyr, your contracted summons, as they are a fighting force needed for what's to come. I have no doubt that the Unholy Calamities will emerge once again, unleashing chaos upon Terra and, inevitably, the entire cosmos. These calamities are beyond anything you have ever encountered; they are nightmarish entities that can instill terror with a mere glance, tear your flesh apart with a single touch, and exert a sinister influence over your mind, compelling you to turn against your loved ones in a frenzy of violence. To make matters worse, the "other" has begun to exploit the deepest fears and most cherished desires of both creatures and individuals across all worlds, twisting them into corrupted abominations devoid of any sense of self or transforming them into "Apostles" akin to Abaddon The Destroyer and The Slayer.
This is why you are here: so that I can gather talented individuals, train you all for what's to come and help mortal kind survive to see the next day. Even if you decide not to join me, I will still protect and support you until this happens. You can stay here in the manner where my devoted maids will cater to your every need, allowing you to experience a life of unadulterated joy and savor each fleeting moment before the impending chaos of war engulfs us all. I understand this may be overwhelming, and I assure you you will have plenty of time to answer. If you cannot give me an answer now, walk back to the estate and spend the next couple of days taking in and fully digesting what I said and the repercussions of what joining me will entail."
The sheer volume of information she gave overwhelmed me, overloading my brain and putting it into maximum overdrive, making me pay my full attention to what she said.
This was FAR beyond anything I had ever imagined. Taking place in a war against the two creators of reality itself? Pff! That sounds like suicide! Who in their right mind would say yes so readily?
Before I conclude this is completely absurd, let me sort through what I was told. First, indeed, a war happened thousands of years ago. This is 100% indisputable. Historical records, artifacts, manuscripts, and literature recovered by archeologists have confirmed the existence of an ancient war long ago. Is it, as history says, that all of creation was in danger of collapsing? That, on the other hand, is uncertain. While I am inclined to believe that the war was catastrophic, I doubt it reached the extent of annihilating civilization entirely.
In the illustrious Golden Age, White cores existed, a level of power unmatched by any individual today. A white core was believed to be the zenith of mortal strength, believed to allow humans or any race to reach the doorstep of godhood. Ancient scripture from the Golden Age stated that white cores transcended the limitations of space and time, existing beyond the confines of conventional concepts and dimensional boundaries.
My brother Sam is the strongest mortal to have ever lived, eclipsing even the mightiest from the Golden Age. He isn't even a white core, yet he has techniques, skills, abilities, Authorities, and his innate mana technique, which collectively position him among the most formidable humans in history. Thinking that beings near my brother's level had such trouble sounds preposterous. Well, no. Actually, it doesn't sound as horrendous of an idea at first glance.
Dragons, revered as the most chaotic and strongest mythical creatures, mysteriously vanished almost a decade ago, with no evidence to show why. How can that be? Dragons are godlike creatures, with two that rival the other Primordials, such as the King of Giants, King of Beasts, King of Spirits, King of Insects, and the Four Elemental Lords.
I stole a glance at the queen, who responded by opening her right eye and meeting my gaze. I quickly looked away, trying to evade her penetrating stare, when a thought popped into my head. What is her relationship with my brother? Wait. My brother is in on this? HA! I can hardly imagine him waking up in time to attend my wedding!
A soft laugh slipped from my lips, shattering the deafening silence that enveloped us. The queen's face appeared amused. "What's so funny?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that I can't even imagine Sam waking up before one o'clock, and you mean to tell me he is taking this seriously? Of all the things you told us, this is the one I refuse to believe. When I tried calling him, I got no answer, and I figured he was messing around with some tavern girls again."
Arnold, with a playful grin dancing on his lips, said, "True. I remember last year when we set up a surprise birthday party for Elaine, and Sam came a whole month late! The look on your face when Sam came in a ruined tailored suit, burned flowers, and a smashed custom-made family portrait—thanks to his little scuffle with a local tribe of mana beasts—was priceless! That was a good laugh!"
Still holding my hand, Elaine relaxed her grip slightly as a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "And let's not forget how he managed to drop the cake after tripping over his feet while trying to carry it! I still want to kill him for that!"
Even Mason, who was rather abnormally quiet, cracked a smile as he added, "That's the best joke I've heard all year! Sam trying to do something seriously? Never! He can't even manage to fry an egg without burning his fingers, smacking his hand down on the panhandle, and having scalding oil splatter onto his face and body if left unsupervised!"
"And what about that time he accidentally sneezed and wiped out an entire mountain range, causing record-shattering earthquakes throughout the Kingdom of Astreaus? They had to evacuate multiple nearby towns, reroute delivery routes, and raise the Kingdom Alert Level(K.A.L) to a code BLACK!"
"Remember when he farted and changed the climate of the world for an entire year? We were besieged by category ten hurricanes, relentless blizzards, frequent earthquakes, and daily volcanic eruptions until the troposphere finally stabilized!
"Hahahaha! That's right! He didn't even realize what he did until Kaio told him, and he still forgot!" This got a hearty laugh from everyone gathered at the table, save for the queen, who merely offered a faint smile. Following that, a hush fell over the group, the only sound being the wind whistling softly in our ears.
After gathering my thoughts and composing myself with the utmost respect, I rapped three times on the table.
"What is your relationship to Sam?"
"Hm? Oh. I am his mother."
"HIS WHAT?!?" Mason exclaimed, and it was a valid reaction.. Sam never said anything about having a foster mother, much less any family other than us. In fact, the only individuals I could truly regard as "parental figures" in our lives are King Rafphael and Queen Gloria.
Arnold knocked three times, following up on this, "I'm sorry, but how come we've never heard anything about his family? In fact, the Rodrigues family, over the years, since about the time I met Sam, lost all power and influence and is rarely talked about. What happened so suddenly for a powerful clan like his to disappear?"
"To clarify, I am not his birth mother. Legally speaking, I am his adoptive mother or a foster mother. I took him in at a young age, raised him as my own, and gave him the training and experience his biological family never could. As for his blood family... it's best you ask him yourself if you want to know."
Again, Arnold brought attention to himself: "Regarding disappearances, what of the Giants? Historical texts, ancient manuscripts, and various forms of documentation suggest that these colossal beings have not been seen since the end of the Copper Age. Is there a reason for that?"
The Queen, who didn't look shocked that we asked such a question, frowned as she spoke, "As knowledgeable as I am, that is something I am not sure of. My interactions with the Giant King were infrequent at best. The last I heard of him was that he had put his realm into lockdown, and since then, his race has gone silent."
A Primordial locking down his realm, an internal conflict arose more than likely, resulting in a state where the giants could no longer travel outside their realm or worse. What could compel a Primordial to lock down their kingdom? Could the "others" influence have driven the King Of Giants into isolating himself? Or could there be more to this that we don't know?"
I knocked three times to get everyone's attention, "You said that the "other" has been manipulating and corrupting people. How is that possible if she is locked away in a prison that is preventing her from acting out?"
"Only White would know that, but if I had to speculate, I would guess that she had already set her plans into motion before her imprisonment. Her current right hand, The Tyrant, is probably the one acting out her will and using his connection to her source of power to sway, manipulate, corrupt, and dominate various mythical beings.
Arnold knocked three times to ask, "I'm assuming these names you are giving us are not the true names of these entities. Is there a reason for not telling us the specific names of these beings?"
"It makes sense for you not to know this. It's sheer folly to utter the true names of mythical beings without explicit consent from the beings themselves or an authorized representative. No creature should EVER underestimate the power of names, as there is almost always a more powerful fish in the sea. Names encapsulate the very essence of a being—their power, skills, abilities, and Authorities.
For example, per your contracts with the Elemental Lords, you can say their true name and bestow that privilege upon others you consider worthy. Whether you consciously or subconsciously did it doesn't matter. Your brother gave you all the power to say Kaios's name without repercussions. I also have given you permission to state my true name..."
'That's news to me; I didn't even know that. I should read contracts more thoroughly next time I get one.'
"..As beings start to recognize your existence, the significance of your name increases, and you grow in strength as the bearer of that name. Whatever you specialize in or are most known for is what will grow in power. For example, what comes to your mind when you say "Ifrit?"
Given that this was aimed at me, I provided a straightforward answer: "Fire."
"That's correct, boy; Ifrit is most known for the power over flames, which is his strongest ability. However, there is far more to him than mere fire. Ifrit, the Elemental Lord of Flame, is also the creature of rebirth, innovation, advancement, and passion. He was the one who gave man fire and ignited the very passions that drive the technological advancements we witness in the world today...
Now, why didn't I tell you the "true names" of the creatures? That's a very easy answer: the mental burden of such knowledge would be overwhelming for you. You, who are but infants compared to the creatures I have mentioned, would likely disintegrate under the weight of their full attention."
Arnold knocked again, inquiring, "What do you mean by 'full attention'?"
"Essentially, learning a true name exposes you to the full cosmological weight of the creature's mana signature. As you all should be aware by now, a mana signature is the manifestation of a being's soul, which can have various effects on those who are too weak to handle it. This vastly changes once you gain a true name...
Once you gain a true name, you reach beyond the limits of mortal comprehension, who can't handle your presence without horrific aftereffects. The aftereffects are far and wide depending on the type of creature it is. All true names are not created equal, as mortals can handle some without harming them. For example, Arondight is one such weapon with a true name capable of being spoken by mortals, as it was specifically made for mortal use. The "Mother Of Humanity" created your weapon for her favorite mortal during the Golden Age as a token of good faith," she nodded her head to me.
I rapped my knuckles against the table three times, "I have two questions. First, what would happen to someone who learns of a true name without permission? Secondly, what is the definition of the word "cosmological," and how does it relate to true names?"
"Excellent question, boy. The answer to your initial question depends on the creature and its true nature. Creatures of all types with a true name create a connection between themselves, the creatures under their influence who benefit from what that creature stands for, and those who know their true name. These connections empower the creature as the creature can use the connection as a power source. Think of it like this: how does an influencer gain power?"
Merlin spoke up for the first time, "Their influence stems from relationships with various organizations, securing the goodwill of affluent or prominent individuals, or by marketing a highly sought-after product that no one else can offer."
"Correct, excellent response. Now, instead, think of the connections as wells of power. These wells grow based on how much their powers influence the cosmological or supernatural world. Each being influences the world, depending on their strength, speed, conceptual abilities, innate techniques, Authorities, and other components. Paired together with a true name, the influence the creature has is substantial, resulting in a magnitude of outcomes. When someone learns of a true name in a way that is deemed disrespectful, a connection between the offender and the creature is created. This connection is a one-way road, meaning only the creature benefits from it while the offender suffers immensely depending on the creature's actions...
They uncover every facet of your existence: your memories, secrets, and innermost wishes are laid bare before them as if they were pages in an open book. The connection serves as a portal into your being to do whatever it pleases, and you won't know what will happen until it does. Whether they want to inflict you with an ability they are known for, turn your brain to mush, corrupt your mind and turn you into a vegetable, dominate your body and spirit to turn you into one of their underlings, or just kill you is up to them. In the realm of the supernatural, the possibilities are endless...
An interesting story relates to this. Did you know that the sun results from Ifrit, The Lord of Flames, punishing a mortal for their disrespect by immortalizing them as a living ball of fire and for the pain to be perpetual for all eternity? There's an old tale of a mortal from the Copper Age who dared to show disrespect to the Spirit of Flame, provoking Ifrit to unleash his wrath, obliterating the mortal's loved ones, their community, and everything they held dear. This very mortal was condemned to become the sun, casting its radiant light and warmth upon Terra day after day. This was also the excuse Ifrit needed not to be the source of heat for the mortal world."
That's a rather... disturbing story. To think such a self-kept and quiet being like Ifrit, who I have respect for, would commit such an unnecessary act of violence shocks me deeply. Wow. Just wow! I never would have thought Ifrit would do such a thing. An excuse to stop being the source of heat for the world? Maybe he isn't entirely what I thought he was.
A loud gulp could be heard from Mason, who was the first to come to mind when disrespecting a creature. The Queen seemed to remember this, casting him a sinister glare as she continued, "I remember a mortal telling me to "do my job" a while ago. I wonder where he is right now."
Upon hearing that, Mason tugged at the collar of his shirt while hyperventilating.
"Told you something like this would happen," I remarked, a faint smile playing on my lips.
The queen snorted, sending a plume of steam billowing from her nostrils, and she offered a slight yet irritated smile in response.
Merlin knocked to ask a question, "What are those 'pictures' displayed along the staircase? Are they connected to true names somehow, or is it something entirely different?"
'Hmm? What's this about pictures?' I wondered.
"Excellent question. Thank you for bringing this up. I am quite surprised that you remember having encountered them at all. What was dwelling within those "pictures" were the true forms of my old acquaintances, known as a "Mythical Creature Form." A Mythical Creature Form is the true form of a creature that has surpassed all lesser dimensions of existence, material substance, numerical constraints, and limitations. Beings with this form exist beyond logic, accurate descriptions, and biological sense entirely as they reach a state of the truly "divine." True Forms, or Mythical Creature Forms, depend on the true nature of a creature and, unlike True Names, affect their surroundings, all manner of influence they have over the cosmological world, and their subjects who serve beneath them...
When a lesser being experiences the presence of a Mythical Creature Form, the first thing the mind does is erase the memory to prevent catastrophic damage to the mind, body, and spirit. Should that not work, the body resorts to various mechanisms to halt the decline of its sense of self. Methods such as entering a comatose state, split personality disorder, amnesia, schizophrenia, and a multitude of other mental coping disorders. When none of these methods work, all hope of retaining individuality, a sense of rationality, control over your body, and the chance of a normal life ceases to exist for the most part."
Merlin knocked on the table, asking, "It seems like Leon, Arnold, Mason, and Elaine don't remember the experience of the "pictures." Does this relate to that?"
"Correct."
Merlin knocked one more, asking, "How many beings have this form?"
"Approximately twenty. However, that only counts as completed Mythical Creature Forms. There are other beings that, upon reaching a certain state of existence, can manifest an incomplete form. While these forms may lack the full power of their completed counterparts, they still possess the capability to cause significant harm to lesser beings, the environment, fundamental concepts, the very fabric of the universe, and even entire dimensions. If we factor in these entities, the total could very well reach into the hundreds."
"That many?!? If there are that many things in the world that can kill us with sight alone, then how do we stand any chance against them? Can we learn how to get a true name and a Mythical Creature Form?"
"Getting a True Name can take hundreds of years, while a Mythical Creature Form can take even longer. While I recommend creating your web of influence, that should not be your primary concern. Instead, I will train you from the bottom up, reshaping and reforming your foundations of hand-to-hand combat, mastery over your primary weapon, effective use of mana, allowing you to use Authorities, and further enhancing your connections to your contracts. Training starts immediately upon agreeing to join me."
I knocked three times and cleared my throat before speaking, "I say this with the utmost respect: is there ANY guarantee we won't be betrayed, forced to do any immoral actions against our will, manipulated, harmed physically, spiritually, and mentally, or have actions taken against us deemed detrimental?"
"An excellent question and a valid concern which is completely unfounded. We can form a "Contract Of Hearts," something you all did to gain the favor, power, abilities, senses, and other characteristics of your contracted spirits. A Contract Of Hearts is a contract that, as you all know, is bound both ways and results in devastating aftereffects should the contract be broken. Does this satisfy you all?"
Arnold and I gave a firm nod.
"Good. Any more questions before you make a decision?"
I knocked three times, "I have one thing to ask. What is your last name?"
The queen's face twitched slightly before revealing a wicked smile, one big and wide, revealing her two rows of pearl-white, razor-sharp teeth. "Let me reintroduce myself; I am Christina Valcaress, The Reigning Sovereign of the Dragons and one of the Primordials. I am your biological grandmother."