Footsteps stamped through the great council’s hallways. Chatter erupted as clusters of knights headed towards the council room. The chandeliers from above swung wildly, a glacial tension drifting through the hallway.

  “The hell’s going on?...” One of the knights questioned.

  “Mandatory meeting.” Another knight said.

  “Mandatory meeting? What for?” The knight asked.

  “Why would I know?” The other knight replied.

  Distant footsteps thudded behind the advancing swarm of knights. Xena walked beside Veyric, who now donned the clothes of Leviara.

  “Stay close. The King doesn’t want anyone to know who you are until the moment is right. I’m sure this wasn’t the way you expected things to be, but… Welcome to the Leviara Guard, Veyric.” Xena said to him.

  “Thank you. So, what exactly is happening?” He asked, keeping his hood over his head.

  “There was an attack at the institute. A professor was injured, and some eyewitnesses have come forth to confirm what they saw.” Xena said.

  “I’m guessing this doesn’t happen often?” Veyric looked over at her, his golden glare flickering for a beat.

  “There has never been an attack at the institute until today. You can only imagine what’s going through the King’s mind.” Xena said.

  “Never?... How long has the institute been around?” He asked.

  “Somewhere around eighty years? I don’t know, really. My calling was certainly not for the institute. Runes are still a bit much for me to understand, even in this day and age.” Xena said.

  “Don’t talk like you’re an old lady…” Veyric said.

  “I might as well be… Old-fashioned combat and archery run in my family. But you can see why the King would be bothered. I’ll be frank, I am too. Only a lunatic would attack the institute and harm a professor.” Xena said.

  “That’s a fair judgment,” Veyric said.

  They were just outside the council room. Xena pushed the double doors open and entered with Veyric. Inside was crowded, with knights from each corresponding kingdom standing beneath their banners. All monarchs were present. Queen Virelda Saeris rapped her nails against the round table with her leg crossed, her eyes idly glancing around the room. Beneath the Hirmzin banner was an old, darker-toned man with a fully gray beard and a bald head.

  “Hm, you finally did yourself a service, King Ivan.” Queen Virelda said.

  “How so?” He asked.

  “By letting go of whatever hair you had left.” She added.

  “Listen, my afro was beautiful, okay? My sons and daughters had to get it from someone, though.” King Ivan said.

  “Banter in this court? Unbelievable.” King Dareth crossed his arms.

  “Oh, relax, would you? We haven’t all been together in the same room for a while.” King Ivan added.

  “That should concern you.” King Dareth clenched his fists on the table.

  “Great leaders should always meet face-to-face.” A soft, melodious voice drifted through the room. From under the Eyheluna banner was an Elven woman. Her skin was a luminous pale tone underneath the light of the runes. Tiny gold hoops and chains trailed up her pointed ears, each one glittering. Emerald pins wove through the cascade of her silver hair, like tiny green eyes judging the room silently.

  “I know that woman…” Veyric whispered to Xena.

  “Which one?...” Xena asked, her voice lowered.

  “Queen Virelda. She’s the one who told me how to get to Leviara, in the first place.” He said.

  “Really?... You’re something else. The more I look at Queen Elysera, the more I get jealous of how beautiful she is.” Xena said.

  “... She doesn’t even look like she’s from this world,” Veyric muttered.

  “Wait, shh… We’re about to start.” She whispered back.

  “Thank you for all agreeing to use the gateways to get here. As you know, those haven’t been used or maintained since the war.” King Alan says.

  “Ours has been maintained. With our ever-growing use of technology and the growth in the knowledge of runes, we’ve found safer ways to utilize the gates.” King Ivan said.

  “That’s… Splendid. But as you know, this meeting is urgent. I wanted you all here for the addressing of this situation. We, as a council of monarchs, must take it upon ourselves to do something.” King Alan rested his hands on the table.

  “There was an unknown figure at the institute who approached three students. Professor Gildan, who was teaching a class, spotted him and attempted to capture him with an incantation. It… Did not go well. He is currently in critical condition, and it grows worse by the hour.” King Alan explained.

  “Well? You could’ve written a message with that information. I don’t see anything there that warrants a mandatory meeting.” Queen Virelda said.

  “I agree. Vislinia hasn’t had my eye on it for a few days, and I was planning to return today. But you decided to call this meeting.” King Dareth said.

  “Allow me to ask a question. What impression does purple fire make on all of you?” King Alan asked.

  The thought of another hybrid existing flew through Veyric’s mind as he began to focus on each leader.

  “Purple fire? Sounds like an outlawed incanation.” King Ivan said.

  “You stole my thought, King Ivan. A foolish man roaming with an illegal incantation. Just send one of your most skilled knights to deal with that buffoon.” Queen Virelda added.

  “Even my most skilled men would melt under that flame!” King Alan stood and pounded his hand on the round table.

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  The room grew tense, eyes falling on King Alan. His hands clenched tighter, and his brows furrowed.

  “Professor Gildan was lucky to survive. It was the flame from a dragon hybrid.” King Alan said.

  “What! That is nonsense you speak, Alan!” Dareth shouted.

  “I knew you would react in that way, Dareth. In the minds of many others, I know you all must feel the same. But I’ve heard from the eyewitnesses, and you’ll hear from them too.” King Alan’s voice echoed through the chamber.

  Yadani, Nymeria, Vera, and Professor Kai’La stepped forth to the roundtable.

  “Go on, girls… Tell them everything you told me.” Professor Kai’La said.

  “Vera…” Veyric’s eyes lit up the moment he saw her, trying to inch himself closer.

  “Hey, no, not here. Now is not the right moment.” Xena grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

  “... All right,” Veyric replied with a sharp exhale.

  “We went outside for an activity. The activity was to find runes around the institute and analyze them. After, we went near the gardens to look for some. But before that, Vera heard there was a rumor from some girls about the king’s knights catching a dragon. We talked about it for a bit, then that was when he showed. He revealed himself to us… It looked like he didn’t care if we knew or not. He was pale… And his sclera was pitch black. His eyes were… A dark purple, if I recall properly.” Nymeria explained.

  “You want us to take word from you, and you’re not even sure of it yourself?” King Dareth said.

  “What the hell? You’re not believing her? Maybe if you were there and staring into his eyes, you would know how it felt! To know that it could’ve been us and not Professor Gildan! To know that if I didn’t give up my strength just to abide by your witless rules, maybe Professor Gildan would be here to tell you himself! But who gives a rat's ass about what a couple of students have to say, right?” Yadani shouted—everyone could feel the fire in her voice.

  The room fell silent again while King Dareth frowned.

  “My, my… You have such a fiery spirit, young tiefling. I see no reason why they would lie about something so severe like this, Dareth. The institute hasn’t been attacked in nearly eighty years.” Queen Elysera said.

  “Then, let’s send our strongest soldiers to behead that foolish dragon!” Dareth added.

  “Hang on, wait a moment, she said, there were rumors of knights catching a dragon. That means there’s another one we should be worrying about, too, no? Or was that purely a rumor?” King Ivan added.

  “That is not a rumor. That’s true, too.” King Alan sighs.

  “Alan, what are you saying?” King Dareth looks over at him, his gaze sharpening.

  “Yes, do tell.” Queen Virelda added.

  Once again, all eyes were on King Alan.

  “There is another hybrid within this very room. But do not panic. He’s not like the one who attacked Professor Gildan. I have not brought any of you into danger.” Alan added, loosening his hands. He felt the entire room’s gaze on him—the tension was as thick as mist. King Dareth’s gaze started to feel more like an unsheathing sword.

  Veyric’s heart throbbed faster amongst the glances of the monarchs.

  “I will now ask that he reveal himself to The Great Council.” King Alan said.

  Vera’s eyes scanned the room for anyone moving amongst the crowd of knights.

  “Go.” Xena nudged Veyric forward.

  He walked towards the round table, each step was hesitant, and the knights cleared out of his way like he was the plague. There was no telling what their expressions were underneath their helmets, but he tightened his jaw and reached for his hood. Pulling down his hood, faces shifted across the round table. Each monarch took in his golden-colored hair, eyes, and horns.

  Vera’s eyes widened. She desperately wanted to run over to him. Nymeria tilted her head, and Yadani crossed her arms, raising a brow.

  “It was you!... How I’d forgotten completely!” Queen Virelda said, uncrossing her leg.

  “Virelda, you’ve met him before?” King Alan asked.

  “Yes, I’ve met him. He was walking around Phithia, cloaked like one of the cultists. But now I understand. That is why you asked…” Queen Virelda said

  King Dareth couldn’t pull his gaze from Veyric.

  “Tell me why they did it, dragon,” Dareth asked.

  “Sorry, did what?...” Veyric replied.

  “Tell me why your kind coated our lands with blood and turmoil! Tell me why my wife had to burn for your kind’s war!” King Dareth stood and walked over to Veyric, grabbing him by the neck.

  “Dareth, let him go! This is uncalled for!” King Alan stood up.

  “His kind must pay for what they’ve done! Lock him in a prison and ensure that he doesn’t get to see the light of day! I do not stand for this madness! If you keep him around, you’ll see how Leviara will crumble!” Dareth pushed Veyric out of the way and stormed off, his knights scrambling after him.

  King Alan sighed, rubbing his temples.

  “That went amazingly…”

  “How pathetic. He didn’t realize how much he was holding onto until he was face-to-face with one. This is the problem with Dareth, he can tell everyone else what to do, but that decisiveness fades when it really matters,” Virelda said.

  Veyric gasped for air, leaning against one of the pillars, pulling the hood back over his head.

  “What is your name, dragon?...” Queen Elysera asked.

  “It’s Veyric.” He replied, his voice slightly raspy.

  “Oh, my… I knew you’d come around soon, but this wasn’t how I expected to meet you.” Elysera added.

  Heads swung, and the room was lulled into silence once more.