As Asura and Lumine left the forest, they crossed the encircling mountain ranges and headed towards the kingdom of "The Older". The scenery gradually grew familiar to Lumine, though Asura still felt an unfamiliarity with everything around him.
The kingdom of "The Older" appeared before them as a majestic painting. From afar, one could see sturdy castles, wide cobblestone streets, and bustling neighborhoods. The kingdom's landscape was encircled by sturdy walls, a vast lake, and mysterious ruins, creating an ancient and enigmatic atmosphere.
As the last light of the sunset faded away, stars began to sparkle like precious gems. Lumine led Asura through winding paths, part of the ancient kingdom that no one had set foot on in thousands of years.
This kingdom, or rather, this empire, lay in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. These mountains, like solid walls, protected and concealed its grandeur from the outside world. At night, the lights from the castles and palaces reflected on the surface of a vast lake, creating shimmering paths that seemed to lead to the heart of this land.
Upon entering the city gates, Asura observed that the architecture here was not only grand but also intricately carved. The white stone walls shone brightly, and high towers rose into the night sky, their crystalline lights casting a shimmering glow that highlighted the beauty of this place.
They walked through the main streets, where sparkling lights hung from rooftops, their reflections glistening on the surfaces of narrow canals, creating a dreamy glow. The sounds of the city at night blended with soft music from taverns, and the laughter and conversations of the townsfolk made the atmosphere lively and warm.
When they arrived at Lumine's residence, Asura was led to a tranquil area where rows of rooms encircled a small garden. The garden was illuminated by colorful lanterns, their lights reflected on the surface of a small pond, creating a peaceful and dreamlike setting.
Lumine led Asura to a large sitting room with a grand window overlooking the garden. The room was decorated with luxurious furnishings and paintings depicting the kingdom's beautiful landscapes. The soft glow of chandeliers and candles created a cozy, welcoming ambiance.
"You can rest here," Lumine said, gesturing toward a large bed adorned with plush pillows and soft blankets. "Tomorrow, I'll give you a tour of the kingdom and introduce you to this place."
As dawn's light gently filtered through the window, the first rays pierced through the silent night, filling the room with a warm, gentle glow.
Asura opened his eyes, inhaling the fresh air that surrounded him. Blinking away the last remnants of sleep, he found himself in a small, elegant room. The bed he lay upon was covered with soft silken sheets, lightly scented with lavender.
Lumine stood by the window, sunlight casting a soft glow around her slender shoulders, creating a faint halo. She quietly gazed outside at the kingdom of The Older, which stretched out before her, peaceful and grand. The distant mountains blended with the horizon, while the kingdom's tall towers gleamed under the golden morning light, shining like precious gems.
"The Older," Lumine murmured, her voice soft yet captivating. "This place has stood for thousands of years, built from the ruins of a great war. It is a kingdom of the chosen ones, where only the strongest hunters can survive."
Asura sat up, curiosity stirring within him. "The Older," he repeated, "What is this place?"
Lumine turned, her eyes gleaming like the morning sun. "This is my home," she said, with a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "It's not just a kingdom, but the heart of power and strength. From here, hunters like us protect the world from threatening forces. And here, it is ruled by the organization 'PoL,' maintaining order for centuries."
She stepped closer to Asura, her gaze seemingly piercing into his soul. "But you've changed everything, Asura. What we thought we knew has been shaken by your power. You don't belong to this world… nor does your power."
Lumine chuckled softly, a light smile on her lips. "I just received an invitation to a meeting of the organization... different from before… this time, I'm invited by the 'Council,' which consists of the five most powerful individuals of PoL. This is my first and probably last chance to attend such an event. How exciting!"
He stood up, stepping toward the window. The kingdom's scenery unfolded before him: streets paved with golden stones, ancient buildings shrouded in lush greenery. In the distance, the central square where important announcements were made radiated a solemn atmosphere.
As she prepared to leave, Lumine looked back at Asura one last time. "Rest well, Asura. Forgive me for breaking my word today, but feel free to explore the kingdom on your own."
As Lumine departed, Asura stood silently in the quiet room, the morning light softly spilling through the window. He watched her figure disappear, leaving an inexplicable void within him. The room suddenly grew silent, with only the faint rustle of the garden's leaves and the shimmering lights on the small pond outside.
Asura looked out at the clear blue sky, where The Older's high towers stood proudly under the sun's rays.
She had told him he could explore freely, and now, his steps guided him outside.
---
Asura left the room and walked down the stone path leading to the kingdom's center. The buildings around him, with their grand yet ancient architecture, appeared like masterpieces shaped by time. The white stone walls gleamed brightly under the sun, the intricate carvings on doors and arches telling tales of thousands of years past.
Though Lumine was not beside him, Asura still felt an invisible connection between them. He didn't know what this bond was, but it felt like a fragile thread, tethering his soul to this world.
---
Lumine stood in front of the large door of the meeting room, her hand gently resting on the cold wooden frame. The door seemed to exude the ancient breath of time, as if the secrets buried for centuries were waiting to be revealed. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. This was her first time being invited to a Council meeting, the ones who held the world's fate in the shadows.
The door opened slowly but surely, without a sound. Inside was a vast space lit by shimmering crystal chandeliers. The high ceiling was adorned with intricate patterns depicting ancient battles, gods, and monsters caught in power struggles that few could truly understand.
In the dark room, five figures sat around a massive round table made of black marble, its cold, sharp surface reflecting the dim light. The faint glow of candles barely illuminated their faces, concealing their true identities.
Lumine stepped in, her footsteps echoing in the silence, as though walking through a thin veil between reality and illusion. She could feel the eyes of the others watching her, their gazes filled with calculation and suspicion. This was The Council, a secret organization known to few, where every major decision was discussed and carried out in darkness.
A few other hunters entered, one of whom was Seraph–"He was invited too?" Lumine wondered.
One of them spoke up, their voice cold and resonant throughout the room: "Welcome, everyone, to this meeting." The voice was deep and somewhat unfamiliar, as if it came from a hidden abyss. "Make sure that all information discussed in this meeting remains 100% confidential, or the organization will be forced to intervene."
Another stood up and responded, "I will show everyone something."
The room fell into silence, and the atmosphere grew even more oppressive as the figure gestured to another member of the Council. That member stepped forward and activated a projector, revealing an ancient, faded cube. On its surface were intricately carved runes and symbols.
"As we know, The Older kingdom lies at the center with three surrounding kingdoms forming a triangle. The Older is in the middle, while The Mother, The Father, and The Brother surround it. Each kingdom has a unique connection to one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."
"This is a map leading to the places where the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are sealed. These fallen gods, beings of destruction capable of annihilating the world. We've maintained the balance for thousands of years, but signs of their awakening have started to appear."
"This cube reacts violently to this source of power… it might contain a being or a monstrous creature beyond human control."
Lumine felt her heart race. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – legendary creatures mentioned in ancient tales. She never imagined they were real, sealed away in different kingdoms.
"The Council has decided," "We need to open it. This cube's power is growing exponentially with each passing second, and if we don't act soon, the kingdoms will be affected. But to do so, we need the cooperation of all six surrounding kingdoms. And you all will play a crucial role in this mission."
This meeting, though just beginning, had already become an underground battle where every word, every decision, carried the weight of the world.
As Lumine left the meeting room, the heavy doors of the Council closed behind her, leaving only silence and mystery in its wake. The faint glow from the chandeliers on the high ceiling reflected a dim light off the cold stone walls, creating eerie shadows.
Lumine walked through the dim corridor, illuminated only by faint light from the hanging lanterns above. Though no one else was around, it felt as if invisible eyes were watching her every move. She slowed her pace, trying to recall the events of the meeting, when suddenly a beam of light from a small crack in a nearby wall caught her attention.
She approached the crack and touched it, discovering it was a secret door. She gently pressed it, and the door slowly creaked open, revealing a narrow staircase leading down. Despite her unease, her curiosity pushed her to descend.
The underground corridor, unlike the rest of the kingdom, was illuminated by an eerie blue glow from glowing stones embedded in the walls. The sound of her footsteps on the marble floor seemed to echo unnaturally in the narrow space, creating strange reverberations.
Lumine continued walking, deeper and deeper, until she reached a large door intricately carved with strange symbols and ancient writing. She pressed her ear against it, hearing soft murmurs from within.
She gently opened the door and stepped into a room filled with light from chandeliers hanging overhead. This room resembled a secret library, with thousands of books and scrolls piled up on towering shelves. On a table in the center of the room, a large map was spread out, illuminated by the faint glow of surrounding lights.
Lumine approached the map. It not only depicted the kingdoms but also marked the sealed areas of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the six surrounding kingdoms. But what caught her attention were the symbols and notes she had never seen before. The notes referred to secret experiments, covert wars, and unclear connections between members of the organization.
A dusty book on the table next to the map caught her eye. Lumine opened the book and read a crucial piece of information: the PoL organization not only controlled fragments of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse but was also secretly preparing for a great war, aiming to carry out plans known only to a few members.
Lumine realized that the organization was planning a massive purge of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse to consolidate its power. The discovery filled her with deep concern about the future of the kingdom and the entire world.
At that moment, a faint noise from the door startled her, causing Lumine to quickly close the book and retreat into the shadows. She returned to the corridor, back to safety, and continued moving as though nothing had happened.
As she exited, Lumine couldn't shake the tension and suspicion about what she had just discovered. She knew that the secrets she had uncovered would need to be carefully considered, and she had to prepare for what was coming. The war wasn't just against external forces; it was also against the hidden threats within the very organization she served.
-End Chapter 3-
To be continued.....