The council has gathered.
"Leopald of Great Nature is unable to attend." A voice announced, "Great Nature was only able to send one representative, Maiden of Trailing of Rose. The clan is currently in turmoil during this current time. A Narukami representative is currently running late."
"Damn slacker.." Dragonic Descendant cursed.
The chosen meeting place this time was withing the United Sanctuary halls owned by the King himself, upon the center was a large round table and a holographic projector was set up just like last time. The respective clan representatives had their names presented again along the plaque cards and each clan was given two spots when it came to their choice of representative. The exception was that Gold Paladin was not limited to their two spaces as they are the hosts of the meeting as well as those giving testimony on the situation. As it seems, Great Nature and Neo Nectar are currently at a panic due to recent events which have transpired.
"So we called this meeting into order and this place was chosen since the Liberators, led by King Alfred had fought a faction within Neo Nectar that was led by a mysterious power." Hana gave the other clans a small briefing. "Of course, let's not forget the situation with Leopald, as he is not here. We have to address this issue as well, though, overall the two occurrences are one and the same."
"Yes, they both involve the mysterious force," Alfred began to speak, "Garmore and I ,along with Blaster Blade and Gancelot who are present here now had the twisted honor of fighting against the power of these so-called invaders first hand."
The King was silent for a moment, he himself feeling a fear and challenge to his own status, but at the same time, the invaders were as powerful as he and his knights have foreseen. It wasn't a direct conflict with the invaders themselves, just a small faction of another clan that borrowed their power, yet despite having Blaster Blade, Garmore, and Gancelot by his side, they almost lost. That's what he didn't want to say, but he had to have the council understand what they were facing, so he swallowed his pride and decided to make the confession as a proud King despite the battle not being one of his best achievements.
"My forces were almost defeated."
The council was silent. The King's confession probably echo'd throughout the halls and along the whole planet itself. Despite other nation often being at odds with the United Sanctuary and the King himself, they knew that his forces were something to reckon with and not to be taken lightly. The thought of a power that could drive his perfect trained knights into a corner struck fear into the hearts of many who were in attendance.
Hana clenched her fists in frustration upon hearing of such a power. She sat on her chair next to Garmore, who was struggling to stand along with the King due to having sustained injuries from the last battle. He sucked it up and stood in solidarity with the rest of the knights present, with Blaster Blade and Gancelot... and the King himself, the four Liberators showed to the council their shame with honor, that they were almost defeated by the power of the invaders.
"Kagero had such encounter as well." Dauntless Drive Dragon reported. "While I was not there -"
"Some of my troops were, to fight against Leopald." Seal Dragon Blockade interrupted. "It was not only the Liberators as well, but my forces were almost completely decimated as well."
Again, silence.
Kagero and the King's paladins, two clans which have been known to be the strongest on Cray have been nearly defeated even before the battle had began.
At this moment, Hana was about to speak in order to lift the heavy atmosphere. While it was necessary to acknowledge this, staying within this state of despair was not favorable when it came to the overall morale of Alliance itself. Just as she opened her mouth and words were about to uttered, a large thud screamed through the hall.
It was the door, an injured Rinchuu of the Narukami's Eradicators scurried into the hall, gasping for breath.
"Dragonic Descendant!" He called out.
"Aren't you supposed to be with Vowing Sword Dragon right now? Go fetch the slacker, where is he?" Descendant asked in annoyed tone.
"They've been-..." Rinchuu hesitated.
Everyone was an Oracle Think Tank at this point, they knew what Rinchuu was about to say before he even said it. They saw the future of the words that he was about to utter whether they liked it or not. They heard it twice. First in their mind, and then in reality. The horror of the news pushed the council even further down the drains of turmoil. At this point, everyone's throats were being grasped by fear of the power, while some were simply at loss for words, not knowing whether they desired it for their own gain, but at the same time were wondering if they would even be able to control it.
Dragonic Descendant's eyes widened in shock, and as he lifted his sword a storm came over the sanctuary. Knights rushed to calm him along with other representatives from the clans. Dauntless had to keep him from steady while Megacolony paralyzed him to keep him from doing any more further acts of hostility. A few buildings were struck with a powerful lightning, the meeting room itself being one of them, opening the rooftop up to a stormy sky above.
"Vowing Sword Dragon and Gauntlet Buster Dragon have been defeated."
The Princess was in an apprehension, unable to speak. Eventually she found her words.
"The invasion has begun and despite all the preparations made by the many the many clans, it is obvious that we have fallen short of what the invaders are capable of. In this event, the very lands of Cray will be warped and decimated as the sadistic enemies symbolized by black rings use their power to mock, intimidate, and lock away those whom dare defy them. The nations gather and the alliance... us... we will plot the actions that will be taken onto the oncoming battle. Ally against ally, and rivals against rivals, using the power of the invaders as a medium to materialize hidden desires and lusts of blood and war. Champions and units alike on both fronts will have their hearts turned against them...
and...
I sadly must have you all agree to this. In the event that any of you fall under the hands the enemy, you will all have to accept that will turn our swords and arms on you and do everything in our power to stop you. That is now part of what it means to be within this compact within nations."
The Princess asked them to agree to the fact that to some extent, they were on their own. If they fell into enemy hands, then they were also the enemy. The representatives spoke among themselves, the whispers eventually dying down to silence. It was short lived this time as the rustle of armor's clings and clacks became music to everyone's ears.
"We agree." Gancelot spoke.
"Heh, if I mess up like I always apparently do then feel free to smack me around for it!" Garmore laughed.
The King stood up and turned to his right hand.
"Come with me, Blaster Blade. To save everything."
"My Lord. We will bring peace to this land again, even if it means we have to bet our lives."
Slowly, but surely, the rest of the council followed. Except for Amon. Amon wanted the power for himself. Then he changed his mind.
"As long as you all give a good fight before I kill you all then sure." Amon laughed.
"You've been taking over the bodies of children, you can even hurt a fly you freak." Luquier jabbed, having just agreeing to the Princess as well.
"Who are ya callin' a freaking? You're the circus freak here!?" Amon insulted her existence.
Then the representatives of Star Gate. Ethics Buster stood, a large mechanical grappler.
"I agree. If I fall to it. I'll even fight myself."
Genesis and Oracle Think Tank said similar things.
"We failed to foretell this as the invaders were beyond our comprehension."
Fortuna felt the presence with her wheel, but was unable to fully extract all the info, now it is too late. CEO Amaterasu was faced with a similar situation. A lack of information was something surprising to the Oracle Think Tank.
"I will do my best to help out as well, especially with the relief efforts!" CEO Amaterasu vowed.
"Yes, so shall Genesis!" Fortuna seconded.
The last ones to come up were Dragon Empire.
"You know, I've been asleep for so long? What? 4,000 years? Maybe this why I woke up haha... If that's so then I'll agree to fight, and if I fall then please feel free to classify me as what I truly become, your foe." Dauntless Drive Dragon said this with a playful tone, but a heay conviction.
Dragonic Descendant never stated that he agreed, because he didn't need to with what he then said.
"Vowing Sword Dragon and Gauntlet Buster Dragon have fallen into enemy hands, and to protect my clan and my order, I will discipline my knights to do as I say despite that wretched force warping their minds. If they so happen to appear on the battlefield,on the opposing end of my blade then I will not hesitate to live up to my title and Eradicate them."
After that, one more individual in the room had yet to state their action.
"What will you do, Princess? Shall we escort you? Protect you? Anything you need." Alfred asked, his naturally chivalrous nature guiding his words.
Hana grinned. "No need."
"I've been standing behind you all, getting protected and taking the support role long enough."
Silence.
"I'll destroy the invaders with my own hands."
Meeting adjourned.