Year: A.O.F. XX800, December 1st
The halls of the cathedral within the walls of the Divine City of Divintia shone through the quartz and marble-filled walls and ceiling, and the pristine prismarine floors and roof, the dusk's last light of the day slowly reflected through the stained-glass windows as the bells signalling the end of the day rung throughout the cathedral's halls. Alongside the bells, footsteps from all around filled the corridors as paladins, nuns, friars and priests wandered around the Cathedral, attending to their evening duties before retiring. Within the inner sanctum where mass prayers and ceremonies take place, stood a large statue of a cloaked woman holding a ball of light and amethyst in her opal hands, her face shielded by the cloak, however a stream of water acted as tears that could be shown on her face, and her clothing sculpted carefully of opal and bits of tanzanite mixed in, stood in front of a large altar with a pedestal and book on it, and steps leading up to the altar and opal statue itself. In front of the steps, however, stood a man clasping his hands together in prayer, his emerald-green hair shone in the light of the setting sun, and his clothing was that of a priest, although some elements like the sleeves were different.
"High Priest." A voice called from behind the man, as he glanced back at the man dressed in strange-looking armour.
"Ah, if it isn't The Trickster, Alastair...what brings you here at this hour?" The man now identified as the High Priest questioned.
"High Priest Draco, you ordered me and the other members of the Jury to be present at dusk tonight. Only three are unable to show up due to missions in different regions, however, Kiomi, Blake, Sage, Esther, Chiyue and I are present for the meeting." Alastair coldly stated, before glancing to the statue behind the High Priest. "Praying? I thought the High Priest didn't believe in the Magi of Light and coldly followed his greed and ambition?"
"Now, now Alastair," The High Priest coldly stated, glaring at Alastair with malice and greed in his eyes. "We are still in the Cathedral of the Magi in the middle of Divintia. I'm just putting on a show for everybody to think I'm the respectable High Priest."
"The High Priest who aims for the throne and all the power he can have."
"Indeed, but the people don't need to know that. What of the missions I gave to you all? Anything new?"
Alastair cleared his throat before beginning to speak again. "Not anything new. All libraries and scholars in Laplace have nothing new in the information on relics, magic, or anything else we don't already know. I did find the closest Magic Tower, and the City of Mages may have more information, however, they do not seem pleased we were poking around their studies without a care in the world. There is also the Ingrassia Province, where there might be some leads in our search, as well as Remantia, Mitmyre, Sol, Silven and Dragonia, although, we don't know how likely it is to be true. There have also been sightings of Levin, although, we cannot confirm this as we do not know if he is truly alive or not. Still no sign for the Crown Prince, he has vanished completely after graduating from the Guard Academy."
"Hm. Well, this next mission, I better hope you find more results in your search, otherwise you will end up like Sebastian," The High Priest growled out, his tone seeming much colder and harsher than normal. He walks up the steps of the altar, with the Jury member following him, and goes behind the statue, pressing a button to reveal a hidden trapdoor. ", After you, Trickster."
Alastair simply nodded before climbing down the ladder, revealing a hidden corridor. At the entrance lay twelve lanterns, one lighting up at the presence of Alastair. Grabbing the lantern, he began to walk in one direction until reaching the end of the hall, where a room with a large door stood. Pushing the door open, Alastair and The High Priest both walked in, revealing the large meeting room where five others sat, waiting on the two of them, alongside three crystal balls placed on the table near the empty chairs, and a larger crystal ball in the center of the table on top of a map of the world.
"You're late, Alastair, High Priest." A woman with dark crimson hair spoke. "High Priest, you called this meeting, what is it you need from us?"
The High Priest takes a seat in the chair at the end of the table, before grinning maliciously. "Quite a few things, actually, Esther. Quite a few things."
"And that is?"
The High Priest chuckles before starting up the crystal ball in the center before relaying his orders. "To all the Jury of Nine members and the orders they lead, your new orders are as follows. We have found leads in these places, the Ingrassia Province, Magia Album, Remantia, the Mitmyre Empire, the Sol Empire, the Silven Dynasty, and Dragonia. Your orders are simple. Go to these places and get as much information on magic relics and items used during the time of the Magi and bring back this information no matter the cost. Oh, and if you find Levin or the Crown Prince, bring them back here, no matter what. For the glory of the 'new' Empire, and the glory of the King of Divintia and the New Emperor."
Esther giggled while the rest of the members simply nodded before leaving, and the crystal balls on the table were shut off, all leaving to complete their tasks. The High Priest stayed seated before a figure from the shadows appeared behind him, still unable to be seen clearly.
"Draco."
"Ah, Zero. What have you found out?"
"The Shadow has sent out his Knights from the end. It seems that they are looking for more magic users. We have yet to breach the City of Mages or any of the Magic Towers without causing...suspicions upon us."
"Any other...issues we should keep an eye out for?"
"The werewolves of the Northern Tribe...possibly the nether-folk, however, the werewolves have discovered the portal to the end but they haven't done anything to it just yet...You also have the northern continent where the Demon Warlock resides, I can tell Divintia has lost quite a few ships to the Sea of the Lost due to it."
"Indeed, we have. For now, we stopped ships going to that region, however, the Northern Tribe of Werewolves is by Azure Quecres, are they not? I should pay a visit to cause some issues there so that they don't get in our way...it shouldn't matter whether or not the portal is open, so long as we can prevent them from getting in our way."
"That is all to report, I will take my leave now and join Faelynia and One in Ingrassia. We have to track down a traitor, after all." Zero nods before vanishing back into the shadows, leaving the High Priest alone.
The High Priest chuckles before standing from his seat. "I better pay a visit to the Magic Tower nearby in Unakami...and then Azure Quecres for some...entertainment."
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In the past thousands of years after the final battle that solidified the Okiyou Empire's fall, the Night of Fire, which led to the massacres of several villages and peoples in the overworld, became the deadliest since the last Magi Battle. And yet, no one knows who attacked them as it happened all at once, causing many nations to bar their doors to outsiders, and for the events that will take place in the future to lead to another war inevitability.