At the Hero's Table

I'm standing opposite of the door with Peo at my side. My posture is perfect, standing so as to not bring shame upon the king sitting in front of me.

"The time has come, Clement. Speak not unless I allow it."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

That is the only advice I'm given before the door swings open. I catch the face of Duncan as he holds the door open for our guests.

"Right this way.."

The prince fades into the background as several figures walk into the stone chamber. Everyone comes in pairs, one older man followed by a younger man. In total, there are eight visitors.

"As King of Melior, allow me to welcome you all to this year's meeting as peacekeepers."

Our king opens his arms out wide as each king takes a seat at the round wooden table. Their respective knights take an identical position to mine, standing behind their leader with weapons in hand.

"Three missing...spear, sword, buster, and…a cleaver?"

Each of the Blessed Knights seem to have no issues walking armed with their divine gifts. Each of their weapons contain a gemstone of different colours, all embedded into otherworldly metal. I've never seen any of these individuals before, but I at least know their names.

King Aufrey looks out over the table, primarily at the three empty seats.

"I was informed that not all will be in attendance. Shall we begin?"

"If you could excuse me, why is it that the others are not present?"

A large and stern king raises a hand and stops the meeting before it even begins.

"We are quite busy, yet time was made for this tradition. Our hero may well have been out killing Titans if this meeting were so insignificant."

The king motions to the person standing behind him, one that I've been wary of since he arrived.

"Ambrose, Blessed Knight of Reinrich…"

This young man carries a spear propped against his shoulder as well as a fearless grin. Even in this room of heroes, his amber eyes feel as if they're looking down upon the rest of us mortals. Between his golden armour, short golden hair, and shining yellow gemstone, he stands out the most. However, those features aren't what unnerve me.

"No, that isn't how Duncan referred to him…"

The prince's words back in the hallway play back in my head.

"You may all be 'heroes', but that distinction is reserved for only a select few. As far as I am aware, only two are worthy."

"One additional requirement, I assume?"

We stop walking and Duncan looks me dead in the eye. The usually fearless prince speaks only after a deep breath.

"Killing a Titan. This deed grants one the highest glory in the world."

Even among Blessed Knights, the man across the table has quite the reputation.

"Hero of Invincible Gold…"

Standing in his presence creates a certain kind of experience. Warriors are often able to tell whether another is powerful, but that is an understatement here. Reinrich's Blessed Knight has an aura that seems both prepared to and capable of killing just about everyone in this room. Should I be caught in a fight with this man, I fear that my odds are no better than the flip of a coin.

King Aufrey raises a hand at his fellow leader, oblivious to the conflict raging mentally between knights.

"Kinborough is currently settling matters regarding disruptions in natural veins of magic. The king of Serich sent a letter telling of a sudden illness that he must endure."

He pauses for a moment when looking towards the final empty chair, the one placed just to his left. The mood in the room seems to sour among world leaders without having so much as mentioned the final nation. Regardless, the king of Melior has no choice but to continue.

"Primavera is undergoing an expedition into the Western Plains. Their target is the Harvest Titan."

"How many does that make this one…"

One of the kings sighs with a hand against his face, the swordsman behind him also grimacing at the news. The name of this hero need not be named for her impact to be felt. Duncan shuddered just mentioning the existence of such an individual.

"There is one Blessed Knight that stands above the rest. Should you ever be at the other end of her blade, not even a prayer will save you…"

"Quite the praise. I assume her title serves her justice?"

The prince bites his lip in frustration before he can even breath the first syllable. Fear, envy, resignation. They all flashed past his expression one at a time.

"Tabitha, Hero of Prismatic Wings…"

The name and title mean nothing to me, even as I speak them to myself. However, that is not the case for the rest of those present.

"If she succeeds, that will be her third Titan!"

"That knight cannot possibly be human!"

The kings of the coastal nation Wilher and mountain nation Norwin both hang their heads dejected. Everyone seems less than pleased by the news, but some more than others. The king of Reinrich lets out no more than a displeased grunt while another begins laughing out loud.

"Haha! Let Primavera enjoy glory while it lasts!"

Sitting on the far side of the table from us is a king with most of his hair gone with age. His red robes wave wildly along with his outspread arms.

"Young Rubeus here has recently felled a Titan of his own! From this point forward, you may refer to him as the Hero of Crimson Fangs!"

The person standing behind his king can't be much older than Duncan. A thick cloak hangs over his studded armour, but not without showing just enough of the horrific weapon in his hand. It's a blade, but one that doesn't have the fine edges I'm used to. One side is flat while the other forms a terrible curve prepared to cleave through even steel. The weapon is the length of a longsword, but the width may as well be the claw of a dragon. Its metal holds a red crystal, similar to mine if not for its dark tint.

"With the Venom Titan slayed, it is only a matter of time before the next falls!"

"Quite the feat! However, Melior has no intent on falling behind."

The king of the northernmost nation of Orienta has his momentum halted by King Aufrey. A hand trailed by purple is raised in my direction.

"For those unaware, young Clement has joined our ranks with power unrivaled by any knight. After only a single day in the capital, Clement removed all threats of beastfolk across our territory."

"You speak highly of a man who scurries in the shadows with his weapon concealed."

The king of Wilher throws a dissatisfied glance in my direction. He can only be so presumptuous with the tall man standing at his back.

"I believe this man was known as Percival…"

Duncan had little to say about this Blessed Knight aside from his massive weapon bejeweled by orange. The blade of his buster sword is almost as tall as himself and the width puts some shields to shame. His expression is cold and threatening behind a fold of spiky black hair.

"Be grateful that his weapon is not visible!"

King Aufrey roars and causes the other monarchs to flinch in their seats. With a sudden shift, his voice lowers to that of a hostile growl.

"Those who witness his weapon do not live to tell the tale. Such is his magic. Even I have yet to receive so much as a glance, but the results speak for him."

It's an obvious lie from my perspective, but the possible existence of such magic puts the others on edge. All eyes are brought onto me. Those in robes are flushed by a filter of uncertainty while those in armour glare in challenge. I was told that peace was brought by an alliance formed between all nations, but I cannot feel that kind of kinship in this room. The only agreement on the table is blood.

"He has only been blessed for three days, so plans have yet to be made. However!"

It's my king's turn to spread his arms wide with an overbearing force.

"I expect no less than absolute success from Melior's Blessed Knight!"