The large hall of the royal palace hummed with tension as the King sat on his grand throne, overlooking the gathered officials. The air was heavy, a mixture of grief and determination. Cade, Jin, Seiji, Jingwei, Finn, and Zach were among the key figures present, along with a handful of other ranking Sentinels. The absence of Shenlog was palpable, casting a shadow over the gathering.
King Argon rose from his throne, his voice carrying the weight of the moment. "We stand here today not just to honor the memory of Shenlog, the great General Supreme, but to prepare ourselves for the battles ahead. The threat to the Free World has never been more imminent. Jiangshi has declared war, and it is our duty to respond with strength and unity."
Murmurs rippled through the room. Cade, standing tall and composed, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, with Shenlog's passing, we must address the chain of command. The Sentinels need leadership, someone who can make clear-headed decisions amidst chaos."
The King nodded, his gaze resting on Cade. "And you, Cade, have proven yourself capable time and again. I appoint you as the new General Supreme Commander of the Free World Sentinels. Will you accept this burden?"
Cade bowed deeply. "I will serve the Free World to the best of my abilities, Your Majesty. I only hope I can honor Shenlog's legacy."
Applause rippled through the room, though it was tinged with sorrow. Jingwei stepped forward, his face pale but resolute. "Your Majesty," he began, "there is one more thing the council needs to know. Before my father's death, he passed on his powers to my brother, Drake."
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Jingwei.
"Drake?" Finn said, breaking the silence. "The… outcast?"
Jingwei nodded firmly. "Yes. Shenlog saw something in him. He may not be ready now, but he is the next bearer of our family's legacy."
A wave of surprise swept through the room, though some Sentinels murmured disapproval. Jin, who had been standing in the shadows, stepped forward. His voice was calm but cold. "Your Majesty," he began, addressing the King, "this discussion is important, but there is something I need to say."
The King turned to Jin, curious. "What is it, Jin? What are your plans?"
Jin's gaze was steely as he replied, "This is my family's war. Jiangshi has turned my life into a game, and now it's time to end it. Permanently. I will put him to rest, forever."
The room fell silent once more, Jin's words carrying an air of finality. The King nodded solemnly. "Very well. We will support you in any way we can. But remember, this fight is not yours alone. The Free World stands with you."
The meeting concluded with a mixture of resolve and uncertainty. The officials dispersed, each tasked with their part in the preparation for the coming war.
In a secluded forest far from the city, Madagascar stood amidst the dense trees, his two legendary monkeys by his side. Sweat poured down his face as he wielded his staff, striking at targets Pa had set up.
"Faster, lad!" Pa yelled, hopping onto a tree branch. "You're getting there, but you're not quite there yet."
The younger monkey, Ma, chuckled. "He's improving, Pa. Give him a break."
Madagascar gritted his teeth, his movements a blur as he spun his staff. Each strike reverberated through the forest. "No breaks," he muttered. "I have to catch up to Jin. No, I have to surpass him."
Pa folded his arms, smirking. "That's the spirit. You're starting to get a handle on it. Soon, you'll be ready for the next step."
Jingwei returned to his quarters, finding Drake sitting cross-legged on the floor, his usual nonchalant expression replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Drake," Jingwei began, "we're going on a journey. A long one."
Drake tilted his head. "Where to?"
"The Crescent Island Dragon Temple," Jingwei replied. "There, you'll train. You'll harness father's power. You'll become the warrior you were meant to be."
Drake stood, grabbing his things without hesitation. "I'm ready. Let's go."
Before they could leave, the door creaked open, revealing Jin. He stepped inside, his dark aura filling the room. "Jingwei," Jin said, his tone calm but commanding, "I need your help."
Jingwei frowned. "What is it?"
"I need your All-Seeing Eyes to trace something for me," Jin explained. "It's important."
The brothers exchanged glances, each knowing the weight of what lay ahead. Without another word, Jingwei nodded. "We'll figure it out together."