The grand doors of the Western Kingdom's Council chamber creaked open with a slow, heavy groan. Lumumba, Amara, Jon, and Solann stood at the entrance, taking in the imposing sight of the council chamber, which seemed to embody the weight of generations of power. Tall, arched ceilings and walls lined with intricate tapestries depicting ancient battles and forgotten treaties gave the room an aura of history, but also stagnation.
The members of the council—older, well-fed nobles in luxurious robes—sat around a circular stone table, whispering among themselves, their faces a mix of concern and boredom. They were the rulers of this kingdom, but it was clear that some were more interested in their own affairs than in the looming disaster on their doorstep.
Lumumba scanned the room with his usual sharp gaze. "Well, this looks promising," he muttered under his breath, but his grin faded as he saw the tension in Amara's face. She knew this wasn't going to be an easy sell.
At the head of the table sat Lord Dorian, an imposing figure with a graying beard and eyes that flickered with distrust as he spotted Solann in their group. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the stone table, the sound sharp and commanding. He clearly saw Solann as a potential threat, and Lumumba could already sense where this was going.
Lord Dorian rose, his voice booming through the chamber. "Amara of the Northern Kingdom, you come here with troubling news, accompanied by a traitor who once stood with the Sovereign. Explain yourselves."
Amara stepped forward, her tone controlled but urgent. "The fissures are spreading, not just in the Western Kingdom, but across the realm. The Sovereign is using them to destabilize the kingdoms and gather power. If we don't stop him now, the entire realm will fall into chaos."
Lord Dorian scoffed. "And you expect us to believe the words of one who was corrupted?" His eyes flicked to Solann, who stood silently beside Jon.
Jon, sensing the growing hostility, instinctively moved closer to Solann, his hand hovering near the hilt of his sword. "Solann's not the enemy here. She's a victim of the Sovereign's manipulation. She's with us now."
Lord Dorian narrowed his eyes. "Is she? Or is she merely biding her time, waiting to strike?"
The room filled with whispers, the other council members murmuring amongst themselves. Some clearly shared Dorian's distrust, their eyes fixed on Solann with suspicion. Others, however, looked uneasy, perhaps more open to the possibility that the threat was real.
Lumumba could feel the tension building. This was not going as planned, and if they didn't get control of the situation soon, they'd lose whatever chance they had of convincing the council to act.
He stepped forward, flashing a quick, disarming grin. "Alright, before we all start sharpening our pitchforks, let's focus on the real problem here: the Sovereign. Solann has valuable information about his plans, and we need your help to stop him before he tears this place apart. Trust me, you'll want to hear her out."
Lord Dorian's eyes flashed with annoyance at Lumumba's casual tone, but he gestured for Solann to speak.
Solann, who had been quiet until now, took a deep breath and stepped forward, her voice steady but laced with sorrow. "I was once one of the Sovereign's most trusted allies. He promised me vengeance, but in reality, he used me—used my pain—to fuel the very magic that's destroying this land. The fissures are not a natural disaster; they are weapons. And if we don't act soon, there won't be a kingdom left to protect."
The council fell silent, Solann's words cutting through the room like a knife. The truth of her pain, her betrayal, was evident in her voice. Jon watched her carefully, his expression filled with quiet concern. He could see the toll this was taking on her, but he admired her strength in confronting her past like this.
Lord Dorian's face remained impassive, but one of the younger council members, Lady Renia, spoke up. "If what she says is true, we cannot afford to ignore this. But how do we know it isn't too late? If the Sovereign's magic is already here, what chance do we have to stop it?"
Amara seized the opportunity. "We've already weakened his control over the Western Kingdom by freeing Solann. The fissures are connected to him through the suffering he causes. If we can sever more of his connections, we can stop them from spreading further."
Lord Dorian leaned forward, his voice cold and calculating. "And what would you have us do, Amara? Throw our soldiers into this fight based on the words of a corrupted elf and a group of wanderers?"
Jon's hand clenched into a fist. He was about to say something, but Lumumba gave him a quick glance, silently telling him to stay calm. This was delicate ground they were treading on.
Lumumba turned back to the council, his voice smooth but sharp. "Look, I get it. You're cautious. But this isn't just about protecting your kingdom; it's about survival. You think the Sovereign's going to stop at the Western Kingdom? You're sitting on a powder keg, and if you don't act, you'll be the first to burn when this whole thing blows up. So, either help us stop him, or get ready to watch your city fall."
The room fell into a tense silence. The council members exchanged uncertain glances, clearly divided on what to do. Lord Dorian, however, still wasn't convinced.
"Words, Lumumba," he said coldly. "And threats. But where is your proof?"
Before anyone could respond, the doors to the chamber burst open, and a royal guard entered, out of breath. "My lords, the fissures—they're spreading again! They've reached the outer districts of the capital!"
The room erupted into chaos. Council members stood up, shouting over each other as panic set in. Lord Dorian's face paled, but his expression remained stern.
Amara turned to Lumumba, her voice low but urgent. "This is it. We have to push them now."
Lumumba stepped forward again, his voice loud and commanding. "You wanted proof? There it is. Your city's falling apart as we speak. Now's your chance to save it. You either stand with us, or you fall with the rest of the kingdom."
The council members hesitated, clearly torn between fear and indecision. But it was Lady Renia who spoke up first, her voice firm. "We should act. If we don't, the Sovereign will consume everything. We have to fight."
One by one, other members of the council began to nod in agreement. Lord Dorian remained silent for a long moment, his eyes narrowing as he looked from Lumumba to Solann.
Finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with reluctant acceptance. "Very well. We will lend you the forces of the Western Kingdom. But this is on you. If we lose, it will be your failure."
Lumumba grinned, his eyes glinting with the thrill of the challenge. "Don't worry, Dorian. I don't plan on losing."