Black Spot
It had been a long time since all the First Priests had assembled in the High Priest's residence. The eight priests entered the long hall and stood in front of their seats with four on each side. The usually calm High Priest entered the hall in a fluster ignoring the bowed heads of the First Priests as he rushed to take his seat in the front. He wanted to address this issue immediately and couldn't care less about formalities. Everyone else sat down taking his lead and waited for him to start this meet. Priest Vishva took a long breath in an attempt to calm himself before beginning.
"The witch group has proved to be quite useful. They discovered traces of witchcraft at the doorway of the Inner Chamber. And successfully tracked its source as well."
"Is this meeting being held to discuss our support to the witches? Forgive me, Your Eminence, but I still stand on my previous opinion. The priesthood has remained untainted for centuries, witches and their dark world is not something we should involve ourselves in." one of the First priests said as he humphed loudly. All the other priests nodded in agreement and started to discuss among themselves. None of them was pleased by the constant support High Priest had been providing those youths.
"I stand with Priest Shravan regarding this matter. A witch coven doesn't deserve an alliance with our priesthood. Witches and Priests do not belong to the same world." said Priest Dharma. He did admit that the witches had helped them this time and he felt grateful towards them for that. He had never expected those kids to be able to find this much within a day but he was adamant about not forging any alliances with them. Priests and witches have never seen eye to eye. They were two groups who have always stood on opposite sides. An alliance between them was just impossible!
"That is something we will address later. Right now, there are more pressing matters at hand which need out immediate attention." The room fell silent and turned their attention to Priest Vishva. The seriousness of the matter seemed evident in his grave expression.
"The witches have tracked the spell back into the Spirit Forest."
"Spirit Forest!" they exclaimed. A wave of terror washed over the room as their faces turned pale.
"No human resides in that forest. There is no way the spell could be traced back in there."
"I thought the same thing at first, but then a thought struck me and everything else fell into place after that. I wanted to ask all of you esteemed knowledgeable men, do you think it's possible that 'he' survived?"
Gasps resounded all over and the priests broke into a vigorous discussion. No one could have imagined High Priest bringing up that scumbag. That man was a black spot on the history of this prestigious place. He hasn't been mentioned in years.
"Impossible!" they all started shouting in agreement. Priest Dharma shook his head as he pondered for a while. Even though the possibility of him surviving in there was next to none, but if they thought about it, that would explain everything.
"Listen, my brothers. Think about it for a while, this one possibility explains the entire incident. He knew the priesthood in and out, was fully aware of the stone's whereabouts and the runes guarding it. We must not think like the frogs in a well." Priest Dharma tried to contain the situation. Priest Vishva smiled at him expressing his gratitude and he nodded back.
"Priest Dharma is right. We must take this possibility in account." another priest agreed.
"If that's the case, then we're doomed. If he could survive in their for all these years then he has far surpassed any power we've ever faced. The priesthood is in grave danger." Priest Shravan added. His words had made the other priests bite their lips in helplessness. That man was more powerful than all of them combined to begin with, and now he seems to possess an inhuman level of strength.
"That's why. I have asked the witches to leave. This is a matter that must remain within the priesthood and I further suggest sending disciples away. We cannot put their lives in danger as well." Priest Vishva looked heartbroken as he announced this. But it was the best way to keep their disciples safe. The First Priests shook their heads at their incompetence as masters. They were unable to protect their own disciples and had to plan to send them away. They agreed with a heavy heart and decided to announce it tomorrow after the witches left. And once the disciples were safe, the High Priest would lead the First Priests into the forest to conduct a thorough search. With that note the meet ended. Priest Vishva stood up from his seat with that familiar humble smile and gave a sincere bow.
"It has been a great pleasure to have protected this place alongside you all. My brothers, may we fulfill our duty and go down with pride. I'll pray to remain brothers with you proud gentlemen in our next lives as well."