[Floor 88: Floor of Equilibrium]
In the vast skies where destruction and creation bred together, lightning and fire clashed in a symphony of chaos, illuminating the horizon with all seven colors of the light spectrum.
Amidst this eternal dance of forces, a beautiful woman, appearing to be in her late twenties, rode a majestic golden phoenix, her crimson hair flowing like a river of fire behind her.
The massive bird tore through the ever-glowing skies, its wings cutting through the air with a force that seemed to challenge the very storms surrounding them. The lightning cracked in violent bursts, adding to the intensity of the scene.
"Do we really have to meet him?" the phoenix grumbled, her voice heavy with reluctance, clearly displeased by whatever her master had planned.
"Hehe... Why are you so bothered by a brief meeting with that old man, Sera? Are you scared?" The woman's tone was light, filled with a playful chuckle.
She couldn't help but find amusement in Seraphina's exaggerated reactions, which always seemed to add a touch of humor to even the most serious of moments.
At her question, the phoenix faltered mid-flight, her wings trembling slightly as she tried to shake off the nervousness. But in an instant, she regained her composure, puffing out her chest with pride. "W-Who do you think is scared? Certainly not this majestic creature! Why would I fear that Gaian mongrel?"
Ever since Seraphina reached the Zenith stage of evolution, she had become exceedingly prideful, yet her antics remained unchanged. Hestia couldn't help but giggle once again at her companion's facade of bravado.
"Hmmm... but seriously, Sera, you know how important this matter is. We can't afford to trust others. He's the only person we can rely on." Hestia's expression shifted, becoming serious as she looked ahead.
Seraphina, understanding the gravity of the situation, strode silently, accelerating faster than before. This wasn't the time for idle talk or bickering. They were about to face the second-in-command of the Tyran Family, one of the seven Sovereign families and the 17 Elites of the Tower.
A towering citadel, larger than any fortress, loomed ahead, its structure shimmering with azure light, almost as if it were crafted from the very essence of the heavens. The air itself seemed to hum with power as the phoenix descended gracefully, landing on the highest platform, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation.
Hestia dismounted and stepped onto the pristine white floor, its surface gleaming like polished marble under the ethereal glow.
As she moved forward, Seraphina's form shifted, her fiery feathers dissolving into a spiritual wisp, vanishing into Hestia's body. The phoenix, once proud and majestic, had chosen to hide within her, unwilling to face the man they were about to meet.
Though she was proud and powerful, Seraphina had chosen not to face the man they were about to meet. Her retreat didn't surprise Hestia. She had expected it, knowing all too well the kind of presence her uncle commanded.
As Hestia approached the towering doors of the main chamber, she paused, drawing in a deep breath. The air seemed heavier here, laden with the weight of authority and expectation. She steadied herself, her resolve hardening.
The grand doors creaked open, their sheer size and craftsmanship a testament to the opulence of the chamber within. A magnificent hall stretched before her, illuminated by cascading light from crystalline chandeliers that hung like frozen stars.
"Welcome to my palace, Hestia." The deep and commanding voice echoed through the chamber, carrying a raw energy that instantly demanded attention.
Hestia walked closer to the throne, her steps deliberate, and bowed respectfully before speaking.
"I greet the Supreme Commander of Tyran, Chiron Atreus Tyran."
A booming laugh erupted from the man seated on the towering throne. "Hahaha, come now, niece, why the formality?" Chiron's words carried a playful tone, yet his deep voice resonated with a power that filled the hall.
Chiron Atreus Tyran wasn't just any figure in the Tower. He was the 31st-ranked champion, a title that struck fear and admiration in equal measure. As the heir to the Tyran family, his presence commanded both respect and caution. Even though he often dismissed formalities, Hestia knew that others wouldn't dare to take such liberties.
"Uncle, you know you're the acting head in Grandfather's place," Hestia reminded him, her tone calm but pointed.
At the mention of his father, Chiron flinched ever so slightly. His confident demeanor wavered, betraying a flicker of unease. The memory of his father's overbearing authority and relentless discipline lingered, even for someone as formidable as Chiron. Clearing his throat, he quickly shifted the topic, unwilling to dwell on the subject.
"Anyway, what brings my ever-busy niece here?"
A faint smile curved Hestia's lips. Her plan had worked. There was no one Chiron feared—not the seven supremes, not even the other Sovereign families. But the mere mention of that man, the one who had disciplined Chiron since infancy, was enough to make him falter.
"I came to ask for a favor, Uncle," Hestia said plainly, knowing he preferred simplicity and had little patience for unnecessary complications.
Chiron raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of curiosity crossing his sharp features. "You? The woman who prides herself on doing everything alone is asking for help. This is... unexpected."
He stroked his beard thoughtfully, his amusement clear, but his sharp gaze betrayed the keen mind always at work behind his casual demeanor.
"I wouldn't have come if I could handle this alone. But this concerns my disciple, Yennefer Dawnstar," Hestia said, her voice firm yet tinged with a trace of vulnerability.
"Ah, the illegitimate child of the human sovereigns," Chiron remarked with a smirk, his tone sharp as ever. "I've heard of her antics from my lackeys. She's causing quite the stir on the lower floors."
Hestia's eyebrows twitched, her anger barely contained. Chiron's blunt words always cut deep, his truth a weapon he wielded without care. She wasn't going to let this one slide.
"Uncle, she is my disciple," she said, her voice cold but composed. "Please don't disrespect her in front of me."
"But I merely stated the truth, my niece," Chiron countered, his tone unapologetic. "Besides, her achievements in the lower realms are hardly worth my respect."
Hestia sighed, suppressing her irritation. She knew Chiron wasn't entirely wrong. Yennefer's accomplishments, while impressive for her level, were insignificant in the grand hierarchy of champions, especially to someone ranked 31st. But Hestia saw potential where others saw insignificance, and she intended to use Yennefer's budding reputation to sway her uncle.
"She may not have accomplished much yet, but that will change once she reaches the middle realms. But to get there, though, she needs allies."
"And you want my guild to take her in, the one located at Virindal?" Chiron asked, already seeing where this was going. Hestia had always been a lone wolf, unbound by any organization or alliance.
Her only connection to the Tyran family was through her mother, and even that bond was distant, more formal than familial. She had never been one to seek out ties or affiliations, preferring to rely on her own strength and abilities.
"Yennefer doesn't trust anyone, and her unforgiving nature has made her distant. I fear that once she leaves Hexagon Academy, others will hunt her down."
Hestia's voice softened as she spoke, a note of desperation creeping in. "Unfortunately, I have no connections to help her. The only one who could offer her protection is your guild, which has influence there."
"So, you want me to take care of that girl who resembles you?" Chiron leaned back in his throne, closing his eyes as he fell into deep thought.
He could see the similarities between Yennefer and Hestia—no, it was more like the similarity between Yennefer and the young Hestia of the past.
Chiron recalled the days when Hestia had despised men, repelled by their very nature. To her, men were creatures who sought to dominate, oppress, and trample upon women. Even among women, she hadn't been well-liked, as they were all envious of her beauty and charm. She had remained a lone wolf, isolated from others, and only began to change when she took in her first disciple.
"Uncle, please," Hestia pleaded, her voice thick with desperation and urgency. "I can't lose my disciple, not again."
Chiron remained silent, his thoughts swirling. Supporting Yennefer could either be an opportunity or a disaster.
'What if she drags my guild into wars?'
'What if she gets into a fight with one of the higher authorities and becomes enemies with them?'
Such thoughts began to plague his mind. Though many called him a simpleton, Chiron had learned the hard way to navigate the complexities of the tower. Climbing it had shaped his mentality, teaching him not only how to survive but how to rule. He couldn't simply say 'yes,' even to his own niece.
The chamber fell into silence as Hestia continued to make a pitiful face, hoping her charm would sway him.
After a long pause, Chiron spoke, his voice serious. "Alright, I'll ask Seith to take her in. But there will be conditions. You need to understand, Hestia, that girl is like a ticking time bomb. She needs to follow rules, or I can't guarantee my guild's safety."
"Thank you so much, Uncle!" Hestia rejoiced. She had at least passed the first hurdle as she had no other option. Now, she only needed to bargain for a bit more freedom for Yennefer. "Can you tell me more about the conditions?"
The two continued their conversation for an hour, negotiating the terms until both parties reached an agreement.
Hahaha... Hestia, you've sure grown up well to make this old man's day tiring," Chiron laughed aloud, his earlier troubled expression now replaced with genuine amusement. The deal could benefit him as well, attracting more promising and competent ascenders into his guild.
His earlier tension had dissipated, and with a warm smile, he invited Hestia to dinner, eager to share a more relaxed moment after the negotiations.
Though Hestia wanted to deny it and escape from the castle, she knew it would be rude, so she decided to show some courtesy and respectfully accepted the invitation.
Hestia expected the dinner to be a quiet affair, just the two of them, but to her horror, another troublesome individual was present in the mansion.
"My, my, if it isn't little Hestia. Did you come because you missed your auntie?" Eurasia Aides Tyran, Hestia's aunt, stepped into the dining hall with grace, her voice dripping with playful amusement.
"Oops, sorry dear, I was so excited about the deal I made with her that I forgot to invite you," Chiron said, scratching his back with a sheepish grin.
Hestia's face went pale, her expression one of disbelief, as though she had seen a ghost. To her, this woman was far more troublesome than her uncle. While Chiron was known for his strength, Euraisia was known for her cunning, and she was the true mastermind behind the Tyran family's growing power. In terms of influence, they were second to none, even among the 17 Elites, rivaling the authority of the Toverians.
Eurasia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What deal are we talking about, darling?"
Chiron, eager to explain, went ahead and detailed the terms of the arrangement he had just made with Hestia. As he spoke, Euraisia's playful expression slowly shifted. The lightness in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a heavy frown that deepened with each word.
"Oh dear, you're still so easily fooled," Eurasia sighed while shaking her head in disappointment, her tone losing its playfulness.
Chiron frowned, confused. "What do you mean? Isn't it a good thing to gain a rising figure?"
"Taking in a promising individual is one thing, but..." Eurasia trailed off, her tone shifting to something darker.
Before Chiron could ask further, Eurasia's voice suddenly rose, cutting through the air with force.
"DID YOU FORGET ABOUT THE PROPHECY THAT HAS SHAKEN EVERY POWERHOUSE IN THE TOWER?"
Chiron blinked in confusion as he asked, "But what does that have to do with Hestia's disciple?"
Eurasia's tone became more challenging as she leaned in. "What does it have to do? The prophecy had clearly mentioned a phoenix. And who else has a phoenix? who is the rising potential among the new ascenders? And who..."
As she listed her points, Chiron's face slowly shifted from shock to realization. He turned sharply to Hestia, his eyes narrowing.
"Hestia, I will ask only once. Were you planning to scam me into becoming a meat shield for your disciple?"
The entire palace trembled under the weight of his overwhelming aura, the pressure crashing down like a storm. The air itself seemed to thicken, and Hestia gasped, her breath caught in her throat.
"Uncle... Ughhh... I swear... I had no idea..." she stammered, struggling to form words.
Chiron turned to his wife, his gaze steady as he sought her confirmation. Eurasia met his eyes, giving a small, almost imperceptible nod. Only then did Chiron release his hold. The suffocating pressure gradually lifted, like a tidal wave pulling back. The room fell still, and the tension that had filled the air dissipated, leaving no trace behind.
'I knew it was a bad idea to meet the Mad Hound of Tyran,' Seraphina's voice, filled with panic and regret, echoed in Hestia's head, but her attention remained on the words spoken by Eurasia.
Though she had heard whispers of the prophecy from the Norns, Hestia had never heard the direct words. Now, as she listened, a troubling thought gnawed at her. Was the prophecy related to her or Yennefer?
And if everyone in the upper realms thought they were involved with the prophecy, the prediction that the tower's end had come, wouldn't this mean that both of them would be targeted regardless?
'This is so troublesome,' she sighed, her mind racing as the weight of the situation pressed down on her.