45 The Meeting [ Part 2 ]

"Enough! Aveia, you need to cool down." The large man that had entered beside her spoke up. "Let's all sit down so we can have a civil conversation."

"Yes, I'm sure Breton didn't invite them over on a whim." The older lady hummed as she wandered toward the table.

Aveia stayed where she was a moment before being the first to back off. Emre let go of Idris's arm as he stepped back as well. He had to hold back a sigh of relief as eyes still lingered on them as everyone sat down. They all sat in their respective spots, the seats for Animor's Paladin, Venum's Paladin, and Teris's High Priest were empty.

Instead of taking seats in the two extra chairs that were brought, Emre left Idris's side to stand between Silvis and Breton while Idris stood between the empty Animor Paladin seat and the current High Priestess of Animor. They were standing directly across the table from one another.

Idris gave a small dip of his head to the High Priestess of Animor and she returned one as Aveia spoke up again.

"Care to explain now?" She asked with irritation, glaring especially toward Idris.

"Introductions first." The older lady interjected.

Seeing Aveia was about to blabber out again, her companion lifted his hand and she clamped her mouth shut to fume silently.

"I will start then. We can go around the circle with our newcomers going last. My name is Lezen Mardoc, I am Igma's Paladin. My holy power is that I can conjure up holy fire arrows." He then looked to his left at Aveia.

Aveia glowered but spoke. "My name is Aveia Illia, I am Igma's High Priestess."

To her left was the serious man in blue. "My name is Farnis Tern, I am Unua's Paladin. My holy power is a radiant whip."

"My name is Arto Bronzetail, I am Unua's High Priest." The man with the floppy ears spoke next.

"You all already know me, but I am Breton Maller, Tirian's Paladin." Breton introduced.

"My name is reserved for close friends and family due to my family's traditions, but I am Tirian's High Priest. You can just call me High Priest." Silvis said next with a smile.

They skipped the empty seat of Venum's Paladin and looked to the older lady. "My name is Izala Mooneyes, I am Venum's High Priestess." Her name was fitting to her appearance, perhaps naming was different for her family?

The large orc lady was next. "My name is Nengu The Paladin, I am Teris's Paladin."

Skipping Teris's High Priest and Animor's Paladin, the pale woman with long black hair was next. "My name is Yivrenel, I am Animor's High Priestess. You can call me Yiv for short."

It was now Idris and Emre's turn, and everyone looked to Idris since he was beside Yivrenel. He raised his chin a bit before speaking.

"My name is Idris."

"And I am Emre."

'Now?' Emre asked with a small smirk.

'Why not?'

Aveia was about to speak before Emre and Idris both began to back away from the table at the same time. Everyone was a bit baffled for a moment, wondering why they were leaving. Emre took a quick glance around and quickly transformed after confirming there were no obstructions. Idris followed suit.

Everyone at the table felt so much smaller as two massive bodies appeared, looking down at them as they gaped in surprise. Compared to Emre's white and gold elegance, Idris's black iridescent scales and spiked head were far more menacing.

Idris gave his wings a small stretch in the massive room before releasing a small puff of smoke from his nostrils. Emre's long neck craned over Silvis and Breton and his amber eyes raked the High Priests and Paladins with indifference.

"We've been called upon by Tirian and Animor. We were granted the ability to wield radiant and shadow magic to fight against the Goddess of Despair." Emre began. "The dark creatures to the south of the Gaia Kingdom have destroyed a village and attacked another. In order to fight against her growing forces, the both of us have come to ask for your aid."

In his true form, his voice resonated louder in the room as they all tried to get a grasp on the situation. Aveia particularly had closed her mouth and pressed her lips into a thin line.

Breton cleared his throat. "This is why I invited them to this meeting today."

"Yes, I would also like to add that what Emre and Idris have told Breton and I thus far coincides with what Tirian told me when I became the High Priest."

"The dark creatures that attacked the Palun Village were scores stronger than the ones that attacked a few years ago. Emre and I were unable to kill their supposed leader. Its touch and the magic it used during our battle was sucking the mana out of the earth it manipulated." Idris added.

"Are you saying the reykurn are the Goddess of Despair's forces?" Yivenel asked, glancing uneasily up at Idris.

"Reykurn?"

"Ah, it is how the people of the Alama Kingdom address dark creatures. Unlike the Gaia Kingdom, the Alama Kingdom has been dealing with reykurn for years. We've deduced that they mainly gather in the Dead Lands." She clarified.

Emre silently wondered if the barren and craggy lands he had seen in his vision were the Dead Lands. It was very likely.

"Perhaps the fact that reykurn, as the Alama Kingdom calls them, are sucking mana out of the earth would play into why the Dead Lands are the way they are?" Arto wondered.

"But the Dead Lands have been dying for years since before the appearance of reykurn. The first recorded reykurn appearance was only about 15 years ago. The Dead Lands have been the way they are for hundreds of years." Izala interjected.

"Has the Queen sent troops to investigate the Dead Lands?" Lezen asked.

"Scouting groups have been sent out but they never return. Queen Venviel has been too hesitant to send out troops for fear of losing them." Yivrenel answered.

"Of course." Aveia scoffed, earning a look of warning from Lezen.

"Regardless of where they are coming from, the dragon here said they are getting stronger." Nengu rumbled out, motioning with her head toward Idris.

Idris laid his icy blue eyes on her for a moment until she looked away in discomfort and cleared her throat. "I mean, from what Idris said, we have to worry more about the fact that they are stronger than they were a few years ago." She made sure to use his name properly this time.

"Yivrenel, you said before that the Alama Kingdom has been dealing with them for years. How has their strength varied since a few years ago?" Emre asked.

"They've been slowly getting stronger. Unlike the Gaia Kingdom which has mountains to separate it from the Dead Lands, the Alama Kingdom does not have such a defense. Our army is strong and large, however, so we are able to hold them back for now. But I don't know how long it will last."

Emre looked over at Idris. He felt it odd to see him in his dragon form, but it was also reassuring in a way.

'It seems like we have to worry about the Alama Kingdom more than the Gaia Kingdom.' Emre mentioned through telepathy.

'The Gaia Kingdom has a strong army. Once we set them on the right path, it will be easy to leave them to aid the Alama Kingdom. Given that there is a mountain blocking the way to the Dead Lands, I feel that the Gaia Kingdom will be fine even without our help for a bit.' Idris responded.

Emre gave a small nod before looking at the people who seemed to have realized that a silent conversation was going on between them and had grown quiet.

"We don't have enough information on the dark creatures and we won't be able to learn more unless we go to where they are," Emre spoke out loud.

"You intend to go to Alama then?" Yivrenel asked with raised brows.

"Yes, I believe that is the idea. We will be going to meet the Commander of the Gaia Kingdom tomorrow. We'll get them on track before we come to the Alama Kingdom." Emre answered.

"I will be able to take you to meet the Queen herself," Yivrenel informed.

Emre's brows raised in interest. "Then I'll rely on you for that once we can go there."

Farnis sat back in his seat and looked up at the two dragons. "I do have a question."

Emre and Idris both turned their attention to the man. Even in the face of two dragons, he seemed just as serious and gloomy as he's been since he arrived.

"You said that you wanted our aid. What for exactly? You two are dragons and you can also use radiant and shadow magic. Why do you need the help of puny humanoids?" He put emphasis on 'puny'.

"Humanoids have intelligence systems and armies. We are only two dragons against scores of dark creatures. Contrary to popular belief, we can get injured and die too." Idris started with a snort of disdain. "We aren't all-powerful like gods nor are we hundreds of years old. Emre and I are young dragons, younger than most of the people here. Why Tirian and Animor chose us is a mystery to us as well. Even so, we're not going to let the world get eaten away by creatures that should not exist. Even if it means throwing away a dragon's pride to get help.

We only received our abilities recently and we are still learning the in's and out's. Neither of us has gone beyond the boundary of the Gaia Kingdom so we are also ignorant about the rest of the world. We do not wish to lie and act like we are more powerful or knowledgeable than we are. That is why we need to ask for help. We cannot do it alone."

Emre listened just as intently as everyone else in the room. He had noticed that Idris wasn't being as quiet as usual, but he didn't expect him to take initiative so much during this meeting. Everyone else was surprised by the harsh truth in his words.

"I suppose honesty is still something humanoids have to work on. You two seem to have it down quite easily." Izala commented.

Emre gave her a small smile. "If any of you are willing to help… We would be grateful. If not, then so be it. There is nothing we can offer you other than our ability to fight." Emre added on gently. "And even in that, we have to get stronger."

"Hmph! Fighting is my specialty. I will help on the battlefield, just give me orders." Nengu spoke up, crossing her arms.

"I already said that I would help. I cannot fight, but I can help with getting the Alama Kingdom to work with you two as well as keep in contact with Animor." Yivrenel stated.

"I will help on the Gaia Kingdom's front. I can work with the Commander and help get things situated here when you guys leave." Breton commented.

"I will help where I can as well," Silvis added.

"I am a strategist and I have knowledge of many things. I can come with you to Alama to teach you if you two wish." Izala stated. "I was just wandering around before this anyway. Might as well do something with this old brain of mine."

"I want to help as well. I might be a High Priest, but I can fight too!" Arto said optimistically.

Farnis didn't say anything and sighed at Arto's words. He seemed grumpy but he did not object to it.

"I will help too." Lezen agreed with a small nod.

"I want to talk to Igma first," Aveia said stubbornly with crossed arms.

Emre nodded in understanding while Idris merely snorted in disdain. Almost everyone agreed to help out. Only Aveia seemed on the fence but Emre believed she would end up helping as well.

A small sense of relief flooded into him as the High Priests and Paladins looked up to them with a newfound determination. "Thank you all."

"Well, I don't really want to live in a dead world. Getting rid of these damn death bringers is the least I could do." Nengu huffed.

"I always knew they were bad news! We should have got rid of em all when they first appeared." Arto scoffed.

"Well, we tried." Yivrenel sighed.

"Regardless, we all need to prepare as soon as possible. Getting rid of the smoke beasts attacking the Alama Kingdom is our first priority. Everyone who is planning to go should prepare to head there as soon as possible." Lezen interjected.

"I will return right away to inform Queen Venviel that you will all be arriving. I'm sure she will be glad to know help is coming and will welcome everyone with open arms." Yivrenel said.

"Idris and I will be bringing our own group as well," Emre added. "They all know as much as you all do."

Yivrenel nodded. "My abode is big enough to fit many people. They will be welcome to stay there."

"If it is no trouble…"

"It's not! Don't worry about it."

Emre could only nod in response. He was not used to so much generosity from people.

"Then, shall we conclude this meeting? There is much to talk about, but it is best to get ourselves situated where we are supposed to be first." Lezen said.

"I will go back to Alama with Yivrenel right away as well," Izala stated.

"Arto and I have a few things to do first, we'll meet you in Alama the day after tomorrow," Farnis mentioned.

"Aveia and I will do the same," Lezen added.

"Then Emre and I will also plan to meet you all in the Alama Kingdom the day after tomorrow. As long as we can use the teleportation circle." Idris said, his eyes landing on Silvis.

"Of course you can." They said with a smile.

Idris nodded his thanks as everyone began to stand up. The two dragons stepped back to give the table room.

"Ah!" Yivrenel turned back toward them. "Should I hide that you are dragons from the Queen?"

"For now, yes… If it is not a burden to do so." Idris answered, looking back to Emre.

Emre nodded, knowing they should probably talk about it first before they decide to reveal themselves.

"Of course. It isn't a burden." Yivrenel bowed her goodbyes and left straight away with Izala following close behind.

"I will go back home with Aveia now. She can talk to Igma there." Lezen said, also excusing himself with Aveia in tow.

Farnis, Arto, and Nengu dismissed themselves and left as well. Now they just had to talk to the Commander and then leave for the Alama Kingdom.