Chapter 13: Meetings and Greetings

Twilight Base of Operations:

Five members of the Twilight organization have gathered together within one of their bases of operations to discuss everything that has transpired during the past month, and what they plan to do going forward.

“Members step forward into the light and state your names!” Says a hooded man facing the other five members lurking in the shadows.

Two members step forward simultaneously.

“Rank #3 Lanheart Orion , Codename Hellhound…”, Hellhound says revealing himself to the Twilight Head.

 “Rank #10 Cassius Lester Codename Cutlass heeheehee…” Cutlass says bowing to the Twilight Head.

“Ahh Lanheart, Cassius.I'm glad the two of you could make it to my summons. I hear you two had a run in with an Exalted.”

“Yes. Me and the Exalted known as Lance Bladerunner briefly engaged in battle, and I must say I was impressed by his skill. In due time he will be of great use to our organization.” Hellhound responds to the the Twilight Head.

“Heeheehee oh please, you give the boy too much credit! He barely lasted five minutes against you!” Cutlass responds

“Well that’s to be expected from the third strongest member in our ranks. Not too many can go toe to toe with him. At any rate we’ll see how this man develops before we make any sudden moves.” Says the hooded man acknowledging Hellhound’s battle prowess and intuition.

This time a petite lady with very long gold hair, blue eyes, a short pure white dress with elegant brown sandals and a beautiful set of white wings unique to all Divines steps forward into the light and greets the Twilight Head with a curtsy.

“Rank #6 Serenade Lara, Codename Halo. It’s good to see you #1!” 

“My, my, your beauty is always a pleasure to behold Ms. Lara. How goes things on your front?” The Twilight Head asks the Winged Divine.

“You will be happy to know that the quota for the week has been filled without fail” She says with a smile.

“That’s good to hear Ms. Lara.”

The Fourth man steps forwards and reveals himself.

“Rank #7 Harmonious Alexander, codename Impala.” Harmonious says stepping forward and kneeling to the Twilight Head.

“Yes, Harmonious, how goes business in Alamos Town? Did you see any interesting prospects while in town?” The Twilight head asks.

Harmonious thinks back to Aria which triggers a brief flashback of him destroying the Rosario estate with his Lute cannon.

“Impala. IMPALA!” The Twilight head yells as Harmonious snaps back into reality.

“N-no sir. I haven’t run into anyone, it is but a small merchant’s town after all.”

“And what of your other assignment?” The Twilight Head asks with a slight tone of irritation in his voice.

“I’m deeply sorry but I refuse to take part in any projects that involve the separation of innocent families.” Harmonious says with firmness in his voice.

Hellhound who was leaning against a pillar cross armed with his eyes closed opens an eye and looks in Impala’s direction after hearing Impala's remarks.

“Oh. Is that right? What a shame..” Halo says in disappointment.

“You’ve gone soft Impala.” The Twilight Head scoffs, his piercing red eyes glaring over at him with disdain from the shadows

“Heeheehee maybe he’s no longer cut out to be one of us.” Cutlass says beginning to draw out one of his blades.

 

Meanwhile Lance and the gang make it into the Castle Isonomia courtyard.

“Woww! I thought Lyssandria was big, but Isonomia is ENORMOUS!” Carolyn says with a tone of amusement in her voice.

“I know it feels so good to finally be back home.” Lance says cheerfully as he walks forward resting both his hands on the back of his head.

“Indeed sire, but let’s make haste, I’m sure Lord Alaster wants our report pronto.” Fluffy says.

“Alrighty then, let’s get a move on!” Lance replies as him and the gang take off towards Castle Isonomia

Allen stops Lance and wraps his arm around his shoulder.

"Yo, Lance. Whaddya say we have a little wager? Whoever makes it into the castle first has to buy the entire group lunch," Allen says giving his buddy a pat on the back.

Lance starts smirking upon hearing Allen's proposition.

"Haa. Fine, it's your loss. Carol, can you count us off?"

"Kaaay! LINEEEEE UP!" Carolyn says as she draws a line in the dirt with her shoe

The two men then take their places behind said line

Carolyn raises her hands in the air and begins to count down.

"3.. 2.. 1..... GO!!" Carolyn yells signaling the two friends to take off.

Within seconds Lance gains an enormous lead on Allen

"Allen you're an idiot, I've been training under Lord Alaster's intense gravity for years! Carol you can go ahead and pick the restaurant! And pick the nicest one you can find! Allen's gonna treat us after-"

*WHOOSH*

Using his wind, Allen races past Lance and sticks his tongue out at him

"Whose the idiot now! Did you forget I could use WIND MAGIC? You may have won all those races when we were younger, but it's a different story now HAHAHA!"

Allen confident in his chances of winning faces Lance with his arms crossed as he flies forward with his back turned away from the Castle.

*THUD*

Allen crashes into a man and both are sent crashing to the floor.

"What the hell man?! Can't you see we were in the middle of something?" Allen complains as he turns around to see who ran into him.

Allen then meets his gaze upon an Exalted's blazing red eyes. It was a man who appears to be in his early twenties with pale skin and a majestic set of white wings . He has flowing blonde hair that goes down to the base of his neck. He dons an elegant set of robes of the purest white and is adorned head to toe with golden earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other fine jewelry. Draped over his right shoulder is a scarlet fencing cape that bears his kindom's emblem printed in gold, that being the silhouette of an angel wielding a scepter.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME WITH YOUR REVOLTING FLESH YOU FILTHY DOG!" The man shouts as he glares down at Allen with his ferocious red eyes.

"Who the HELL are you calling a dog?! I was in a good mood till you decided to become a human obstacle and stand in my way." Allen shouts back as he surrounds himself with an intense aura of wind.

Lance realizing the direness of the situation calls out to his friend.

"ALLEN! Getting your a*s beat in Lyssandria wasn't enough?! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?!" Lance yells urging his friend to stand down.

"No I don't, and quite frankly I don't give a s**t! No one disrespects me like that and gets away with it."'

*WHOOOOOOOSH*

The winged man releases a ferocious blast of wind that shatters all the windows facing the courtyard and sends Allen flying backwards onto the ground.

'Windows shattering with wind magic.. Where have i seen this before?' Lance sarcastically thinks to himself.

"INSOLENT DOG! HOW DARE YOU COMPARE ME TO YOU INFERIOR HUMANS! I AM A DIVINE! WE ARE THE SUPERIOR BEINGS OF THIS WORLD!"

The winged man extends both his arms out to the side and whips up two cyclones to the left and right side of him and begins to ascend upwards causing the bushes and other plants within the vicinity to be uprooted and get caught up in the cyclone.

"FOR YOUR TRANSGRESSION YOU SHALL FEEL THE WRATH OF MY "TEMPEST"!" he yells as clouds begin to swirl around him encompassing the entire courtyard and causing a torrent of rain to pour down.

Allen is left frozen in awe at the sight of the Exalted's ability.

'My goodness.. Such strength. The man who manipulates weather at a whim.. I pray for your safety Sir Allen.'  Fluffy thinks to himself as he witnesses the Divines' strength at full display

"YES! GROVEL BENEATH ME LIKE THE MONGREL YOU ARE! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE COMPLETELY HELPLESS BEFORE OVERWHELMING POWER SUCH AS MINE?! HAHAHAHAHA!"

He then raises his right index and middle finger high up in the air and swipes it down causing an enormous bolt of lightning to come crashing down towards Allen.

"NOW FRY YOU INSECT!"

"ALLEN WATCH OUT!" Lance yells as Allen braces himself for the strike.

Before the bolt is able to land he is covered up by a dome of rock which protects him from the attack, although the dome was ultimately disintegrated by the blast.

"Stand down Jeremiah Saintcloud I believe the boy is aware of his folly."

 

The man who protected Allen stands atop a floating rock with his arms crossed. He is a tall, good looking man who appears to be in his early thirties. He has grey skin, fangs resembling that of a vampire's, with long white hair tied into a ponytail in the back and a long bang hanging in the front which covers his left eye. His exposed right eye is bright red signifying his status as an Exalted. Rather than typical forged armor, his entire body save for his head and neck are covered with several layers of dark gray rocks which are made up of the hardest materials of earth this world has to offer. Fixated on each side of his hip are two large warhammers and dangling over his back is a marvelous black cape with spiked edges along the bottom and his kingdom's emblem, that being two war hammers in a cross formation, printed in white. 

"Oh?! And who gave you, an inferior Ogre, the right to start giving commands to me?! Perhaps you wish take me on in his stead Adramalech Kain?!" Lord Jeremiah yells as the storm begins to intensify

Lord Adramalech nods his head no.

"As intriguing as that might sound, we are now bound by the Three Kings Alliance and in honor of Lord Alaster's wishes I shall abide by this treaty and regretfully have to decline your offer." The Abyss King says as he jumps off his rock and crumbles it into dust.

'Whew, just in the nick of time. I don't know if Aria's barrier or my Repel would've been able to make it in time.' Lance thinks to himself breathing a sigh of relief.

 

Lord Jeremiah taking offense to Lord Adramalech's statement lashes out at him.

"Hmph. Don't be a fool! Though we both share the title of King and though we are both Exalteds, don't you dare think for a SECOND that I see you as my equal!" The King of the Heavens angrily exclaims as he dissipates his conjured up storm and descends to the ground

"But we are guests in the Supreme King's territory. Without a doubt. The entire place would be left in ruins if we were to clash. He'll surely take exception to that."

He then glares over at Allen.

"You should count yourself lucky that I'm in a generous mood today mongrel." The King of Heavens says as he tucks his arms into the sleeves of his robes.

'Holy s**t. That guy wasn't playing around. I've heard of the King of Heavens' abilities, but to think he is such a monster... If the King of Abyss didn't step in when he did, I'd be in serious trouble right now.' Allen thinks to himself as drops of sweat trinkle down his forehead.

Shortly afterwards Lord Alaster makes his way down from the castle to meet up with the other two kings and Lance's gang in the courtyard which has been utterly destroyed by the battle.

"I'm glad this matter was settled before I, myself had to intervene. And how many times have you come over here and done damage to my castle Lord Jeremiah?"

"Keep in mind that that boy is a part of my apprentice's party, so I can't just turn a blind eye to this. 

"Hmph. Perhaps i was a bit overzealous. If I had known he was a comrade of that brat of yours I may have had shown a little more restraint. For that I apologize. As for the damages, send the bill over to the Ouranos treasury and I will cover all the damages." Lord Jeremiah says to the Supreme King bowing his head in apology.

"Very well, your apology is accepted. Oh, and choose your words carefully next time. As I recall, it was I the HUMAN who bested you the DIVINE quite handily when you decided to test my mettle in battle. Remember, everyone in this world whether they are weak or strong, ogre, human, or divine is created equal. It is for that reason that the Kingdom of Isonomia exists, so that all races can come together and live prosperous lives with one another. No one race should stand above another."

"Well said.. As rulers we must all work together to make this country a better place for everyone." Lord Adramalech responds in agreement with Lord Alaster's ideals.

Lord Jeremiah visibly annoyed by Lord Alaster's and Lord Adramalech's statements just stares out in silence.

"I have prepared wyverns to take both you and Lord Adramalech back to your respective kingdoms. We shall meet again in two weeks time, there is still much to discuss. I wish you both a safe journey."

"Hmph. Very well." Lord Jeremiah says as he begins to take his leave.

"Until next time Supreme King." Lord Adramalech says bidding farewell to Lord Alaster

With that, Lord Jeremiah the king of Ouranos, and Lord Adramalech the king of Vesuvius make their way to the wyverns and back home to their respective kingdoms.

Meanwhile at the Twilight base of operations

"Cutlass. You and I both know you have zero chance against Impala. I suggest you stand down." Hellhound warns his fellow comrade with an impatient look on his face.

"He's a traitor! Why should we let him off the hook?!" A restless Cutlass responds eager for a taste of some blood.

"You don't plan on betraying us too are you Hellhound?" Halo asks

"ENOUGH! MY PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN!" The Twilight Head shouts out releasing a tremendous amount of magical energy causing the entire room to shake.

"Lanheart. Explain yourself."

Hellhound takes a deep breath. 

"Sir, I too believe, there are better ways we can go about gathering men for our cause." 

"It defeats the purpose of building an army if the people are taken against their will. I've noticed first hand that this results in an army of poor morale." Hellhound says stating his points

"So what do you suggest?" The Twilight Head asks

Back in the Castle Isonomia Courtyard

Alaster begins to make his way towards Lance and his friends and the original three begin kneeling down, with Carolyn and Allen quickly following their lead.

"Please, rise up. There's no need for such formalities while we're outside of the castle. My title aside, I am no different from any of you."

Lance gets up and walks towards Lord Alaster.

"Master. I'm here to report of what transpired during our journey."

There's no worries Lance. I'm sure you and your comrades are exhausted, it can wait until later."

Alaster takes notice to Carolyn and Allen. 

"I see we have two new faces in your group." 

Lord Alaster casually walks towards Carolyn and Allen

"Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Alaster Grand Infinium. It's a pleasure to meet you two!" Alaster says to the two with a warm smile on his face.

THE SUPREME KING MAKES HIS APPEARANCE. WHAT WILL HE MAKE OF LANCE AND HIS ADVENTURES?