"My head hurts..."
Ethan lifted his eyes. Razael was laying on the couch, his head resting on Zegrath's lap as he complained about his headache. Zegrath was rubbing his own forehead, too tired and hangover to protest about being used as a pillow by the angel.
They both seemed to suffer from the excess of last night, unlike Alyssa who was eyeing the television's screen, her eyes shining with impatience and nervousness even though she tried to hide it by chatting away with Zeraphiel.
Carilysh stretched her limbs, waiting patiently for the speech to start.
Currently, they were all waiting in the living room of the mansion. It was quite a big and dark room with its red walls and the black floor, the only touch of color being the white carpet laid on the wooden floor. A gray sofa was placed on it, surrounded by two armchairs of the same color, all with their backs to the door, facing a screen embedded in the wall.
Contrary to what Alyssa initially thought, the device is not here to provide entertainment for the Pillars, but rather to help them watch over the Lands. In fact, the monitor only turns on when an important event takes place. A coronation, a speech from one of the Crowns or Elyon, or even if the Lands are in danger. However, as far as they know, it has been centuries since the screen turned on because of the latter.
Ethan, who was standing against the wall, hoped it will continue like this for a long time.
"Let's be clear, if you can't follow what our very generous God Elyon says, don't count on me to summarize anything for you."
Carilysh's voice rung in Ethan's ears. She glared at the group sitting on the couch. Or rather, she was staring at Alyssa. As a succubus, Carilysh had a deep animosity towards humans, and Alyssa was no exception. The day Alyssa went to introduce herself to the Pillars, Carilysh locked herself in her room and refused to came out. Afterwards, whenever the Ambassador would try to talk to her or just say hello, Carilysh would walk right past her without a word nor a look.
So Alyssa quickly gave up and Carilysh, for some reason, now resorted to criticisms and rude remarks.
"It's too early for this..." Zegrath groaned.
It was currently 5:57 a.m., and they were waiting for Elyon's live speech to start. As Ethan learned in a book about the history of the Pillars, once all the Clans' representatives have been selected, Elyon would normally make a quick speech from his Tower and announce the new leader.
Ethan remembered the selection ceremony, where he saw the God in person for the first time. He never actually expected being selected as a Pillar, especially since he is expected to become his Clan's king after his sixteenth birthday at the end of the year.
His aunt was quite upset about it, but since it was a decision made by Elyon there was nothing she could do or say. As for his uncle, he only had one instruction for him.
"Do not embarrass us."
He then went back to his duties as the king regent, leaving to his wife the task of helping Ethan prepare to leave for the manor. She took it as an opportunity to give Ethan an instruction of her own.
"You're the future king, so I expect you to keep studying even as a Pillar. I won't allow any disappointment."
As for his fiancée, she was too preoccupied telling anyone and everyone that she would finally be free from him for a little while and she couldn't be more glad.
Ethan was a little disheartened to leave his family, even if he knew he would still see his uncle in less than a year. However, he also wondered why it was him out of everyone from his Clan that the God picked as he didn't felt like he met any of the criteria.
Yet, there is nothing he could do. Elyon's words are Law.
When the clock hit 6, the screen suddenly turned on, and Elyon appeared. Even through the screen, it was easy to tell that He had an imposing figure. Wearing a blue suit, the God was sitting in a black luxurious chair, His red blood eyes seeming to pierce into the soul of all those present in the living room despite not being in the same room as them.
Not bothering with greetings, He immediately started, His cold, hoarse voice slowly awakening Zegrath and Razael.
"First of all, I want to congratulate the new Pillars. I trust you will all fullfil your duties as perfectly as you can, unless you want to be strip of the honor of representing your Clan."
Carilysh tensed at His words. The prospect of being ejected from the Pillars was far from being an acceptable prospective to her. Ethan rubbed his wrist. Without knowing it, they both silently shared the same thought at the moment as they listened carefully to what the God had to say.
"I would also like to welcome Alyssa Williams, our very first Human Ambassador, and wish her a pleasant experience here on my Lands."
Alyssa shifted nervously, her eyes narrowing at the screen.
"I apologize on the delay with her bodyguard. As soon as his training is over, he will immediately head for the manor."
'A bodyguard ?'
Alyssa and Zeraphiel didn't seemed surprised at the mention of a bodyguard, but for the others it was their first time hearing that Alyssa would have one.
Never before has a Pillar had a bodyguard . But then again, it was also the first time a human became part of the Pillars, and with the disdain the Clans has for them it's understandable why she would need one.
"To give her the welcome she deserves, I plan on organizing a nice banquet for her."
Another new information. And one that didn't make any sense. Elyon wasn't known for being the overly welcoming type, all parties or banquets were hosted by royalties, with the exception of the selection ceremony, so it appeared quite strange for Him to actually do this for someone. Especially a human.
'Hmm...'
Ethan started to ponder silently as Elyon readjusted His posture on the chair, a blank expression on His face, His eyes shifting to the right of the screen.
"Ah, yes, right. Congratulations on the Succubus too for gaining their independence, I guess."
He crossed His legs without expanding on the congratulations, nor acknowledging Carilysh. Instead, He just moved to the next subject.
"Now, on to more important matters. I will now announce the name of the new Pillars' leader."
Zegrath, who had mindlessly started to play with Razael's hair, immediately straightened his back, preparing himself, smiling smugly.
"After talking with the Crowns, the final choice was supposed to be Razael Goldbane. However..."
Elyon changed His sitting position again, the corner of His lips stretching in a self-satisfied smile.
"I have decided to name Alyssa Williams instead."
"What ?!"
Zegrath abruptly got up, almost throwing Razael on the floor, exclaiming at the same time as Carilysh. The wolf was starting to get upset when Elyon mentioned Razael was the final choice, but then to hear that Alyssa out of everyone was the one the God decided to make the leader, it was impossible, just impossible.
As for Carilysh, she was having flashbacks of all the stories she heard from her Clan, of the time they were living on Earth and the treatment they received from humans. She wasn't even born yet when it happened, but a chill still run down her spine at the mere idea that history might repeat itself.
If Elyon knew the reaction His decision had caused, He clearly couldn't care less. He leaned forward, seemingly ready to leave.
"On that note..."
His eyes drifted to the right again and He frowned before sitting back again with a sigh.
"I almost forgot. The weeks of exchange will start next week, I will make sure you receive the planning soon."
He looked to the right once more, nodded and concluded.
"On that note, I wish you all a good day."