Numeria's Last Hope

Zephyr and Kazuki hurried through the palace corridors, their footsteps echoing sharply against the marble floor. The urgency in the soldier's voice still rang in their ears, and neither spoke as they pushed onward until they reached the towering doors of the throne room.

Waiting there was Gorran with Maeryn beside him, arms crossed.

"Gorran? Maeryn?" Zephyr blinked, surprise softening her breathless tone. "Why are you here?"

Maeryn offered a small, tense smile. "Whatever this is… it concerns more than just you two."

Before anyone could speak further, another voice carried down the hall. "Ah, so everyone has arrived."

Alvis approached with his usual calm stride, though his sharp eyes flicked toward the throne room doors as though he already knew what awaited inside. Close behind him walked Master Ardent, his dark cloak brushing the floor. He seemed less composed— his expression rigid as if wrestling with thoughts too heavy to share.

Alvis held his hands behind his back. "Then let us not delay. His Majesty waits."

With that, the heavy doors began to creak open, spilling golden light from the throne room into the dim corridor.

The throne room was already filled when they stepped inside. The council members and king's advisors lined either side of the long hall, their expressions stern, voices hushed with speculation. At the far end, the King sat tall upon the throne, his presence commanding silence the moment the doors shut behind them.

Alvis moved to the center of the chamber.

"Your Majesty," Alvis said, bowing slightly. "Councilors. We do not have the luxury of time. The demons will strike again — and if we wait, their next assault will not be so easily repelled. We must take the fight to them, beyond our walls, into their lands."

A murmur rippled through the chamber.

One advisor — Lord Renn, gray-bearded and sharp-eyed — slammed his hand against the table. "Outrageous! You would send our strength into enemy territory, leave Numeria vulnerable? Reckless!"

Others voiced agreement, heads shaking.

Ardent stepped forward, his voice like tempered steel. "Reckless would be to sit idle and wait for another tide to batter against our gates. Alvis is right. If we do not strike first, we will only bleed slower the next time."

"Still, the resistance was strong." Lady Meris narrowed her eyes. "And who would you send? That boy?" She gestured sharply toward Kazuki. "You would gamble the fate of this kingdom on a stranger, who wields powers even he can barely control?"

Kazuki stiffened, but said nothing.

Alvis's eyes hardened. "Resisted, yes — but at what cost? Do not forget, when we first scouted their lands, their armies numbered in the thousands. Their first strike here… was only eight hundred. What happens when they march in full force? Even if we win, the kingdom will be damaged beyond repair."

His gaze swept the chamber. "And do not forget— the same boy you say can barely control his power wields the Sovereign's Authority. The highest power in the dark affinity. That is no small thing. But more than that…" His voice lowered, drawing every ear. "…the grimoire lies there. The very one that can return Kael to us."

The twins gasped, their eyes going wide. "Big brother… Kael?"

Alvis nodded. "Yes. The grimoire holds the key. If we succeed, he can be brought back."

Gorran's arm tightened protectively around Maeryn's shoulders, his deep voice rumbling. "Is this true, Master Alvis? You swear this isn't just a desperate tale?"

"I would not speak it otherwise," Alvis replied.

The twins, who had been resistant, faces bright with hope. "Then we'll agree!"

Sir Galen stood. "This is folly. You would send our strength into enemy lands blind, chasing after half-truths and superstition. The kingdom cannot afford such a gamble."

Alvis pressed further, his voice steady. "This is not about Kael alone. If we are to end this war, it must be with the death of their Demon Lord."

Mutters filled the chamber again — doubt, hope, fear — but the air had shifted.

At last, the King rose from his throne. "Enough. The matter is decided."

Silence fell.

"We will not wait for the enemy's blade to fall on our necks again. If there is even a chance to turn the tide, we must seize it." His voice softened slightly. "And if there is a chance to bring Kael back, send Kazuki home and defeat their lord… then we cannot ignore it."

The council members and advisors bowed their heads, some reluctantly, others with weary resolve.

Alvis exhaled slowly, a faint relief passing over his face.

"If this is the path we must take… then so be it. But tell me, Alvis — who will accompany him? Who will march into the demon lands by his side?" The king asked.

The silence cracked when the twins suddenly stood, fists clenched.

"We'll go," they said together, voices ringing with determination.

"We've walked those lands before, during the first investigation. We know what lies ahead." Vada said.

Alvis nodded once, then spoke. "I will go as well. Kazuki's training is far from finished, and if he is to stand against a Demon Lord, he must learn chanting. He'll need me for that."

His gaze turned toward Gorran and Maeryn, softening. "But you two — you are not bound to this. This path is dangerous. Perhaps a one-way journey, without return."

Gorran's booming laugh filled the hall, though his eyes held steel. "We are Ashen Vow. It doesn't matter where — if Kazuki and the twins walk into fire, then my sword will walk there too."

Maeryn rose beside him, voice calm but unwavering. "And my magic as well."

Then, from the side, Ardent raised his hand. His tone was simple, final. "Then count me in. My blade will be theirs too."

The King's head snapped toward him. "Ardent… to strip this kingdom of one of its finest warriors would leave us defenseless. I cannot allow it."

Ardent's eyes met his without flinching. "With respect, Your Majesty — if the Demon Lord rises unchecked, this kingdom falls whether I am here or not. Better I strike at the root than sit idle guarding branches."

Whispers rippled through the council at his words, but the King did not answer.

Then Zephyr stood. Her hands trembled at first, but her voice carried clear. "Then me as well."

The chamber erupted with protests. Alvis, the King, even Kazuki himself spoke at once. "No — it's too dangerous!"

But she silenced them with a raised hand, her eyes fierce.

"Firstly, I am a member of Ashen Vow, same as them. Secondly, my light affinity is what demons are weakest against. And thirdly…"

Her gaze turned, locking on Kazuki's.

"I will not let the man I'm going to marry march into darkness without me at his side."

Slowly, she slid her hand into Kazuki's. Their fingers intertwined.

Not a soul spoke — for no words could outweigh the weight of her choice.

King Alaric saw this gesture, then lifting his voice so the chamber would hear:

"Then it is decided. This party, bound by oath and purpose, shall carry the fight into the demon lands. To strike before the enemy strikes again… to seek the grimoire… and to end the Demon Lord once and for all. You are Numeria's last hope."

The chamber buzzed with voices. But Alvis's gaze caught Ardent's across the hall. For a moment, the noise around them dimmed, replaced by the memory of their private conversation on the balcony the night before…

Moonlight had bathed the stone rails in silver. Alvis leaned forward.

"The relic in the boy's chest… the new writing has been confirmed."

Ardent's brow furrowed. "And?"

Alvis's voice was quiet, but every word carried weight.

“The one who shall rule over the darkness."

Ardent froze, his breath leaving him in a sharp hiss. "That means…"

"Yes." Alvis's expression was grave. "We have summoned another Demon Lord into our kingdom."

"That's why we can't keep him here," Alvis continued. "Imagine what happens if two Demon Lords clash in Numeria's heart. The destruction would be unimaginable. But in their lands — saturated with dark energy — his power will grow. There, and only there, will he have the strength to face their lord. That's why we have to convince the King and the council to send him there. It's the only way."

Ardent's jaw tightened. "You’re really going to suggest it, then. Sending him into Agartha. He's still just a boy. Power alone won't carry him through a war — I've seen too many soldiers die thinking otherwise."

"That is why we must go with him." Alvis's tone softened. "He trusts us. If I train his magic, and you temper his blade, he'll stand a chance."

For a long moment, Ardent said nothing. Then he exhaled, leaning heavily against the railing.

"Then I'll go. Not for the King, not for the kingdom. For the boy."

Alvis had smiled faintly, as though that was the answer he had been waiting for.