Chapter 8 – The Summit of the Twelve
Two days after their arrival…
In the audience hall of the palace of Britania, a solemn silence reigned. The guards stepped aside, making way for a procession of exceptional figures. Seth, Kael, and Tara, remaining in the background, watched in awe as these men and women whose names alone could make armies tremble entered.
Arthur, standing near his throne, announced in a clear voice:
— Let the elite of the Twelve Hunters step forward.
One by one, they crossed the massive doors.
The present hunters:
Number 1 – Alexander, the Knight King
A man of rare elegance, tall and muscular, clad in scarlet armor and a crimson cloak. His beauty and charisma illuminated the hall. He was called the Beacon of Kingdoms, for wherever he went, hope was reborn. His courteous yet firm gaze commanded natural respect.
Number 4 – Hawks, the Angel Slayer
A tall man with golden hair and an ironic smile. He wore light armor adorned with glowing runes. His eyes sparkled with an almost divine light. It was said that he single-handedly took down three fallen Seraphs. His nickname: the Celestial Lightning.
Number 5 – Aleos, the Blazing Sun
With fiery hair and a radiant laugh, Aleos embodied the knight of Solgaleau, the kingdom of the sun. Jovial and warm, he inspired camaraderie. But behind his smile burned a fiery power, like a sun ready to set the horizon ablaze.
Number 6 – Degel, the Mage of Winter
A calm man with a peaceful gaze. His light blue hair fell over his shoulders, and his midnight blue clothing seemed to release a natural chill. Master of ice and silence, his nickname was the Frozen Heart. Few knew that he was, in fact, the son of Agnor, the king of the Mothers' Kingdom.
Number 7 – Suo, the Abyss Hunter
Silent, his dark cloak hiding countless scars, Suo wore no adornment. But his aura weighed like a mountain. He was called the Burden of Hell because death followed him wherever he went.
Number 10 – Lucy, the Diamond Warrior
A young woman with bright pink hair, wearing light armor adorned with jewels, wielding a massive hammer decorated with ribbons. She seemed frivolous and smiling, almost childlike. But beneath her sparkling appearance was colossal brute strength. She was nicknamed the Steel Flower.
Number 9 – Rhea, the Valkyrie
Tall and graceful, her golden helmet crowned her head, a lance in hand. Her blue eyes shone with pride, complemented by her long violet hair. Her voice, sharp as a blade, dominated the hall. She was called the War Wing. She could not stand injustice or weakness.
Number 11 – Julius (15), the Master of Mist
A hooded young man, slender, whose body seemed to blend into a veil of fog. His violet eyes glowed in the shadows. His magic allowed him to obscure the senses and minds. He was known as the Mist Specter.
Number 12 – Nexos, the Colossus of Earth
He arrived last, towering at 2.30 meters, shaking the palace floors with each step. Large and massive, clad in living stones, he exuded raw power. He was nicknamed the Unyielding Wall. His lateness made Rhea grind her teeth, and she snapped:
— Always the last, Nexos. A hunter arriving after the enemy is already a corpse.
Nexos grunted, saying nothing.
Arthur raised his hand.
— Hunters, I have summoned you for a grave reason. The hidden continent… that of the Calamities… stirs once again.
A chilling whisper swept across the hall.
— The Calamities?! exclaimed Lucy, suddenly serious. It's a legend!
Hawks shook his head.
— No. If Arthur has summoned us, it's because the reports are true.
Arthur continued firmly:
— Scouts speak of movements of creatures from beyond the seas. Foreign, monstrous beings that threaten the balance of the kingdoms. If the continent of Calamities awakens, even we, the Twelve, cannot guarantee the survival of this world.
Rhea struck her lance against the floor, her gaze fierce.
— Then what are we waiting for? Let's march forth and crush these abominations!
Degel intervened calmly:
— You speak too quickly. A war against an entire continent is not a simple battle.
Arthur nodded.
— That's why I propose an alliance between our kingdoms. I will meet with the King of Dragons… and Agnor, King of the Mothers.
Seth, who had been listening in silence, felt his breath catch. To see these beings, to feel their power… it was beyond anything he had imagined.
— Kael… Tara… he murmured. We are surrounded by monsters. Not demons… but living legends.
Kael crossed his arms, observing each of them.
— Yes… but sometimes, it is the legends themselves that become threats.
Arthur concluded:
— Prepare yourselves. The Summit of the Twelve is just the prelude. The world is about to change.
To be continued…