The Awaking Remenant (Part One)

The morning was quickly spent after the evocative dream Allanah endured. From the visions, it left many faltering questions that nagged at Allanah from the rising sun until nearly noon. She laid in her bed, staring at the stone ceiling of her chambers, immersed in deep thought of what the day may bring. One thought especially, was the phantom like figure that sat in her window seal once she awoke from her slumber earlier. Allanah turned to comfort herself, but as she did her eye caught the sight of the open window again. Already hysterical about Josiah's words, her mind instantly  thought of the phantom in the window smiling at her with that sadistic grin. Uneased by it, Allanah immediately turned to the opposite side of her bed and curled up into a ball.

"Nope."

         She implied to herself. But her childish antics only lasted for a mere moment. Allanah couldn't help but reminisce about every moment and word in her dream. Normally it wouldn't bother her, because it never went as far as meeting Josiah. 

"What did he mean though?"

          Allanah gripped the sheets of her bed as Josiah words  echoed in her ear. 

"And the truth of your fate will be revealed by those keeping it from you."

          She still wondered.

"Who though?"

          Suddenly a knock came to her door, breaking her train of thought. 

"Allanah!! Allanah!!! Are you awake yet?"

    The large iron door quickly swung open. The force of the door slamming against the wall, echoed a loud thunderous noise through the halls of the castle. Standing in the midst of the door, was a tall blonde haired girl bearing silver armor that covered her entire body. The cape she wore on her shoulder possessed the shade of sapphire blue with a gold trim flossing as it waved behind her. Allanah rose from her bed immediately, staring dumbfounded by the forced entry. She glared boggled by her. Holding the sheets to her chest to cover her revealing nightgown from the armored woman. 

"I've been up!!! Jeez!!!"

Abrasive, she replied to Allanah.

"Well it's late in the morning, and Lord Ector has been waiting for your arrival on the training grounds." Allanah couldn't believe she lost track of time; forgetting about her training session with her mentor early this morning.

"What time is it Kayla?"

Frustrated as she was, the armored girl with the french braid shouted in a flustered tone. "It doesn't matter!!! You're already late!!!! Just think if your father was to come and check on you."

Allanah remained calm getting out of bed to prepare for her day. 

"Alright… Alright… I'm getting ready. Don't be so perturbed." Her brow began to twitch when Allanah addressed her as perturbed, unknowing of the reason. 

"You would be too if you had to spend three hours of training with Ector watching you like a hawk with every move you make." Allanah simply rubbed her head and giggled nervously once realizing how late she was.

"Really? Three hours?"

Kayla turned her back to her; trembling in anger of Allanah's absent mindness and lack of obligation. Her fist rose to her side, tempered by Allanah's modest antics. "Just hurry up already."

Kayla storms off with her cape in the wind.

"I'll see you on the training ground!! Then I'll repay you for your tardiness!!" 

She shouted. Allanah remained moot about the ordeal.

"What does she mean by that?"

It wasn't too long before Allanah apprehend Kayla's words on the training ground. Before she realized, she was falling to her backside into the dirt from a ferocious blow from her companion. 

"Ouch"

She said, rubbing her backside. Allanah glanced up at Kayla looking down upon her with a sinister smile. Finally she knew this was Kayla's revenge for making her deal with Ector alone this morning. Against the pillar, stood a short stocky man, no more taller than Allanah herself, wielding similar armor as Kayla with his arms folded across his chest. Unlike Kayla, he laid his chest plate to his side as Allanah could see, and wore only a sleeveless dark blue shirt. The bands of leather on his wrist glistened in the bright sun; knowing that he takes fairly good care of his appearance. He shouted.

"Allanah!!! Get focused!! You're too distracted today!!"

Taking a deep breath, Allanah tried to hone in her skills like she was taught. But constantly, her dream from the night before continued to cross her mind.. 

"Ugh"

While rising to her feet, she noticed the same hooded figure standing at the entryway of the training ground. Menacingly he stood with that devious smile upon his face that made Allanah's blood crawl. A shimmer went down her spin like a chill in the night. But it was different this time. Instead of vanishing into the night like before, his presence still remained in her sights like any other being. At this point, Allanah had become frustrated by seeing him. Urging to know who he was, her emotions became overtaken by somewhat anger. 

"Son of a…."

    By that time, Kayla had struck again with her sword, but Allanah's awareness allowed her to block the attack swiftly. "Well Well… Look who is paying attention now." Kayla taunted. Moving swiftly with her sword, Kayla remained on the offensive with her vicious thrusts toward Allanah. Steadily Allanah was able to block or evade the attack with ease, but never taking her eye off of the hooded figure afar. In the distance, another armored lord emerged from the path accompanied by several armed guards holding polearms. His salt and pepper hair glistened in the sunlight along with the faded hue of sienna upon his skin. He was taller, seeming taller than the knights accompanying him to the grounds and wore a thick white wool cloak over his shoulders with golden tassels hanging over his chest. Allanah still paid no mind to him. Her focus remained on the hooded figure still sinisterly smiling at her. 

"Come on!! It's no fun if you don't fight back."

    At that mere moment, something awakened within Allanah that was never felt before. It felt as the flame of a fire had bursted within her belly and now it fueled every waken bone in her body. Her eyes even changed; one fading to a hue amber red and the other of a lavender shade. A spark became present around her limbs, allowing her to become the one countering the immense strikes. In one earth breaking move, Allanah countered the attack. Throwing Kayla's arm and sword well above her head. 

"What?!!"

    She said, gasping. 

"Agh"

    Allanah replicated the same strikes and patterns that Kayla had delivered beforehand, but with more thunderous power behind them. Kayla couldn't believe the sudden change from Allanah. The drastic power that all of the sudden came from the taunts was what Kayla had thought triggered her anger.

"Where did this strength come from?"

    On the side of the walkway, the royal being accompanied by the knights halted at the sight of where Ector stood. 

"Good morning, or should I say good adternoon Sir Ector."

    Ector chuckled.

"Forget the formalities, your royal highness, we go too far back for that."

    Both their eyes wonder toward the two battling within the courtyard, carefully monitoring their every move.

"How is she doing?"

    Ector cuts his eyes over towards his fellow comrade.

"She did seem distracted this morning, but since you arrived, she has made a tremendous turn around. She actually has my daughter on the defense."

    Beside the pillar, he laughs at the mere amusement of the spare. 

"Well, Allanah took a little of that absent mindness from me when I was youthful."

    Ector yet again chuckles, but with a slight smile creeping on his face. "I remember, my king. I was the one keeping you out of trouble all those years ago."

    Hunched over, the named king tried to silence Ector, holding his hands in front of him and whispering to him so no one could hear.

"You don't have to bring up old stories. I have a reputation to uphold now."

"Yeah Yeah Yeah. Whatever you say. You still owe me."

    Ashamed, the king implies to Ector.

"Fine fine…"

             He sighs.

"You're always holding this over my head." Rubbing his head in modesty, the king retorts what Ector had mentioned earlier about Allanah.

"How distracted has she been?"

    Ector glances over to him.

"Very. I don't know for sure what it could be though."

    The king may have known what could have been the reason. It was something dramatic that happened some time ago, but it's something that still haunts the both of them til this day.

"Well, it is close to the time her mother passed away. I'm sure that could be the reason."

Ector nods.

"Yeah…. Definitely."

    Before the two couldn't finish their conversation, their attention was immediately drawn to Allanah and Kayla dueling with one another. It seemed that Kayla may have grasped the upper hand again; disarming Allanah's sword from her hands. The blade pierces the ground, while Kayla dived in for the finishing blow. In Allanah's eyes, Kayla's movements were strangely slower than it was before. Allanah could closely analyze and see her final striking coming into play. 

"Counter… counter… What can I counter with?"

    Kayla's blade drew nearer and nearer until it was inches away from her throat. But something spectacular happened; Allanah was able to evade the strike with god-like speed. Ector, the King, and Kayla were amazed that she was able to move at such speed which no one has ever seen from her before. Kayla carried through with her attack only to find Allanah standing to the side of her holding a bow & arrow she had drawn from her backside. From her stance, Allanah was ready to deliver the final strike, but called it.

"Checkmate."

    Kayla and the others couldn't believe that she had defeated her with such profound skills that she never revealed before. 

"Where did?...."

    Ector gasps in awe. The king trembled in fright of seeing Allanah perform such unusual speed and skill that not even the greatest of knights can do. He thought…

"Could it be like she said all those years ago?"

    Allanah disengaged her bow, and quickly turned her sights toward the figure by the doorway. But as before, he had vanished without a trace; which only infuriated her even more of his identity. 

"Damn…"

    She said underneath her breath. 

"Alright ladies. That'll be all for the day."

    Ector implied. But he and the king knew something was happening to Allanah. From her attitude, her emerging skills, distraction; it could be only a few things that could cause Allanah to not be herself. And for what he saw, he could only hope for it not to be the worse alternative. It was a prayer he said as he watched Allanah walk away from the grounds unspoken of the marvelous demonstration she just displayed against her superior. Praying that his longest fear wouldn't emerge to consume Allanah or himself.

"I pray to the goddess it isn't time."

    For quickly night came upon the land. The sky was filled with blazing bright stars that illuminated a haze of blue & purple in the ocean of the night. The crescent moon hung high for the night was young and full of wonders. Strangely it was quiet for it to be early in the night, or what Allanah thought as she sat in her window seal staring out toward the kingdom below. Guessing, Allanah thought everyone was preparing for the arrival of all the royal nations to arrive and commence with the meeting held by the Chamber of the Crown. Only a few people she saw in the streets hanging banners and flags of different nations upon the light poles. But her mind was slightly thinking of tomorrow. Her thoughts were still captured by the night before, and the mysterious presence of hooded fiend appearing randomly. Alone she thought she might be, Allanah quickly became accompanied by a knock on her door. 

"Who is it?"

    From the other side, a vague voice replied.

"It is I, Kayla."

"Come in."

    Gradually the door opened, allowing Kayla to slyly seep into the room with a timid tone. 

"Good evening Princess Allanah."

    Allanah turns and nods to her, acknowledging her presences.

"Lady Kayla, what may I do for you tonight?"

    Kayla, acting weird held her hands behind her back and began blushing in front of Allanah. It was completely different from the abrasive infuriating opponent from early, which Allanah knew this wasn't a formal visit.

"Are you her for a cheerful chat as friends?"

    Allanah said.

"Of Course!!!!" 

    She replied with a bright array of joy. 

"Freaking girl talk!!!"

    Kayla leaps on the bed, free falling into the cotton soft pillows that laid scattered on the sheets. 

"Soooooooo"

    Oddly, Allanah glares at her. 

"Huh?"

    Lifting her brow in curiosity, Kayla asked.

"So what was up with you today?"

    Allanah vaguely remembered earlier in the day, due to her mind be overcomed by the thoughts of her dreams. 

"What do you mean?"

"That move you did, and how fast you did it?...."

    Kayla leaps to her feet in the bed with her fist shaking in anger. 

"That was unreal. I have never seen a knight even do that!! Plus you beat me today!!!! Even Arthur hasn't beaten me in a duel."

Calmly, Allanah chuckled.

"I don't know how I did it myself. I pretty much blanked out when we were sparing earlier."

    Kayla plops into the bed in shock of the fluke.

"What?!!!"

    Allanah quickly tries to change the subject.

"How is Arthur anyway?"

    As if she cared from the way she acted, Kayla answered.

"He's still in the Knight Academy in the Heaven Kingdom. Arthur probably won't be back for another six to eight months at least." Seeming down about his absence, Allanah answered with a little subtlety.

"Oh…"

    Kayla took this as Allanah kind of missing this so-called Arthur; noticing her disheartened expression.

"Ohhhhh…. Does someone miss my little brother?"

    Allanah instantly tenses up and denies everything.

"Nope Nope Nope!!!"

    Kayla giggles at Allanah's denial.

"You're a terrible liar." 

"I am not!!!"

"You so are. Look at how bad you're blushing."

    Allanah shouts.

"I am not!!!"

    Out by her doorway stood a young lonely guard that could overhear everything they were bickering about. It was kind of embarrassing to say that gossip between two ladies shouldn't be heard by men. Which is why the guard shook his head in shame of it.

"I just had to be on duty tonight. They are going to be gossiping until morning."

             The evening was thought to be a calm, collective night before the royals of the other nations arrived for the summit. Or it was supposed to be. The king found himself and his loyal knights staring down a burning field, or presumed to be what's left of a camp of some sort. The aroma coming from the flames were so putrid that many that scavenged the remains began to gag. Mostly vomit from the overwhelming stench of burning flesh. "What in the goddess name happened?" King Branston uttered to himself with an array of disbelief of what he was seeing. Ector to his left mounted upon his black steed stared with the same trembling glare of fright in his eye. 

"This was the research camp that was excavating the Galveston mines for crystallized Asei."

" I realized that when I arrived. There were research students from the Striking kingdom & workers from the Shadow kingdom."

          It was dreadful that an incident like this would happen the night before the summit. But Ector was quick to suggest foul play in this attack.

"Only the Freiheit would do something like this right before the summit." Branston knew immediately why this treacherous act of evil would have sprung forth. 

"It would prevent the other nations from also signing with the United Neutrality Treaty. After the announcement of the Shadow & Striking, they knew it would only be a matter of time before the others followed. It also makes them a wanted terrorist organization through all the 13 kingdoms."

From the debris, a lone knight came before the king to relay what was left of the camp.

 "Sire." 

          A glimmer of hope came to Branston's eyes, hoping to hear of some good news from the travesty. "What is it? Are there any survivors?"  Hesitant the knight was, knowing that the news he brings is only more daunting than before. His face covered in soot from the smoke highlighted the beads of sweat pouring down his face. Ector became impatient of the news withheld by the knight placid before them. "Out with it boy!!". 

         Quickly he responded. 

"Yes sir!!! There's only one survivor sire…." 

        Branston and Ector were amazed that only a single soul made it through this. From the looks of things, they were expecting no one to have survived.

"Only one?"

" But how?"

           Misleading his eyes, the knight couldn't bear to look at the king in his face to tell him the reason for a lone soul surviving. Silence like this could only mean one thing, and Branston knew exactly why there was such luck with this being. A gloom came upon his face as he thought of seeing the being before him. What would he do? How would he react? Mainly, why do such a thing? Taking so many lives for what reason is beyond his thoughts. Branston ordered the soldier kneeling " Bring him to me"

    Dawn had blessed the city Tania,  capital of the Royal kingdom with a wave of warmth and fortuity. After the nightmare that spawned from the atrocities of the night before, this day was needed to obscure the hatred that tried to thwart the serene acts of the king and the Crowned sovereigns. Morning quickly had come for the people of Tania, all seeming to be eager to rejoice in the arrival of the foreign nations and their parties that were attending the summit this afternoon. Hundreds of citizens crowded the streets, making festivity out of the summit. Nearly it presented itself as a parade or celebration of unity among all the thirteen kingdoms finally. Merchandise was being sold in the street, flags of foreign nations were strained upon nearly every light pole leading to the heart of the city, drinks and foregin food were being prepped in the open vendors of street shops. Children played and ran amuck while workers continued to finish up the final decorations for the Chamber of the Crowned to arrive with a cheerful welcome. Upon their faces were painted with the insignias flown upon the banners that waved in the streets. Till this day the Royal nations were known to be the kingdom of opportunity and second chance; deeming that those that seeked a new start could land on these shores and begin a new life. Thus the people never forget their homeland, and express their heritage freely without consequence.  For it wasn't too long before the horns of the northern gates of the city sounded; bellowing a mighty hum that signaled for the bells to be rung throughout the city. A spark of excitement erupted from the people strolling the streets. Cheers and shouting filled the air with joy, all seeming eager to see the unique and various styles of the kingdoms. The stone umber gates opened to the coastal shores of the Royal kingdom in the north, revealing the many carriages approaching the city for the summit. Entering the city, the cheers roared even louder than before. Adding to the exhilarating celebration, frays of colorful paper fell from the highest part of the buildings in the city. The essence of conquering heroes returning to their homeland to be celebrated by the people resonated throughout the entire city.  It was amazing to see the different and unique styles from the carriages and the beast that drove them along the paved roads of Tania.  Leading the party was a Royal Victorian carriage paved in gold trim from the roof to the wheels that rolled it. From what it was worth, the people could tell that this high elegant carriage could only belong to the alluring Heaven Queen.  In front, a large silver quarter horse decked out in the garments of golden silk robes and armor galloped with a steady promptness. Following behind strolled an Regency fashion carriage of blood red holding four members in its coach. All were of age, presuming to be of an elder noble class to the northern kingdoms. The apparels these noblemen wore were long crimson cloaks that draped down well below their knees. To match,they wore red Shriner-like hats upon their heads with a dark lavender under garment. Upon the left side of their hats possessed a gold feather with a slight flame emblem at the tip.  More followed, Chariots, Arab, Phaeton style carriages, but the one that caught everyone's eye, was the large black Imperial coach drenched in the essence of a fainted somber musk. What led the carriage were two gigantic wolves, who fur was black as the night sky. Their eyes were a piercing green, and the horns upon their heads was the fade of emeril. Nearly the harness they wore that connected to the coach almost faded in with their black fur. These beasts were so terrifying,  their presence struck fear into the hearts of the small children whose joy and laughter turned into timid, quaking fear.  The windows to all sides of the carriage were tinted to the point of near mirroring the people passing by. Everyone knew that this had to be the king of the shadow land. Knowing that only he could silent the streets of the Royal Capital with only his mere arrival to Tania. Soon the silence that held the tongue of the people became sudden gasps. Overhead soared a humongous aerial craft that resembled a naval ship with wings that expanded far from its side. The banners that flew from its sail showed an Eagle cradling a golden pyramid.. 

"Ahhhhhhh"

    In awe, the people couldn't take their eyes off the aerial craft hovering over the city, gradually soaring towards the meeting place for the summit. From all they could see, the carriages and crafts were heading toward a massive dormitory structure resting toward the southern hills settled in the southwestern Provinces of the city.  The dome stood similar to an ancient monument that resembled the ancient home to the gods of greece. Stairs stretched far into the hill, rising to the entrance that stood several pillars with the shade of a sky gray. At the very top of the stairs mounted two large elks looking out over the city of Tania with stringent eyes. Covering the top was a ginormous oval glass dome installed into the stone buildings that engrossed the entire hillside. Across from the dome, the private harbor facing the riverfront opened to a naval ship of a crystal oceanic shade. The reflection from its pearl blue metal sheets glistened in the sun, while it pierced through the water as a knife. Within a moment's time, the long silver white ship docked into the private harbor. Those near flocked to the harbor bay to witness the magnificent structure and the model of a maiden sculptured into the bow of the ship and waves emerging from her sides. Towering high into the sky, the ship nearly eclipsed the sun from the viewers standing by at the harbor. 

"Amazing…. I have never seen a ship this massive."

    Overlooking from the top of the stairs, King Branston and his knights emerged to welcome the crowned sovereign aligning at the base of the structure waiting to exit.  Emerging from the leading carriage exit a stunning woman, who's blonde hair stretched down to the lower part of her back, bearing a beautiful Renaissance Victorian dress of brilliant blue and gold. The four members in crimson followed behind, then a dark caramel gentlemen with hair as black as soil & silk.  He wore upon his shoulders a white thobe and a kandora upon his head underneath the golden crown he wore. Another, a large bronze man that rode through the city upon the chariot boldly stepped down from his bright red and golden chariot led by two rhinoceros type beast with the head of a hammerhead shark and horns protruding its snout. Formally he wore a Bai Qi uniform without the heavy armor that normally would be beared, and held his hair in a tightly neat bun with what seemed to be a fine dagger piercing through. At the end, emerging from the imperial carriage was the king of the Shadowlands himself. The doors mechanized, opened by sliding upward and the bottom to the ground forming steps. Steam emitted from the components, and what stepped out couldn't be imagined by any normal man. From the darkness of the carriage, a large ungodly armored foot stepped out from the wall of steam. This was no size of a basic man, but the foot of a giant. Along, the king revealed himself to the open world; a man that stood tall above many others, bearing a charcoal samurai like armor. His face was covered by a silver and black helmet that obscured every feature and presence of this man. But notably upon his head was a glistening silver emblem that wielded the Japanese symbol of shadow. The others glared at the dark king with a wiry intent that arose from him simply being there. A dour expression presents itself upon Branston's face, knowing that what happened just several hours ago could cause catastrophic chaos just by mentioning it. But that couldn't be known just yet. Branston replaced his austere glare with a warm mirthful smile to greet the others. 

"Welcome one and all!!!"

            It was heartbreaking for the king to display a greeting smile over the trepidation feeling that eroded him from the inside. All of the planning, negotiations, travel, and balance could all be shattered by the mere acts of others, unaccepting of a new era. It was all a risk, but it had to be done. As the sovereign climbed the stairs, Branston watched as they made their way up on both sides. Respectably leaving the middle of the stairs for the gods' entrances. One by one, Branston shook their hands and bowed in honor of his fellow crowned. The queen, glamorous in all her beauty, stood before the king with a smile of her own. Between the two seemed to be a familiarity, both acting as old friends who lost time. 

"It is great to see you Amelia." Branston gently takes her hand and places a simple kiss. The queen blushes, charmed by the king's chivalry. "Charming as ever Branston." She said, shielding her smile with her opened hand. 

"Still milady."

          Behind the king amongst his knights, Ector stood watching as the royals and their parties entered the great hall. Out of the large group that passed, a presence that stood by the Shadow king caught Ector's attention. A young man, no more than in his teens hung upon the cloak of the Shadow king speaking amongst his guards. His curly mocha hair glistened in the sun, and his hue of pecan skin stood out from the usual political officials that accompanied him. Another is an aura that consumed this boy. It was like the essence of a viper tainting the air around him with the scent of venom. It was uneasy, a feeling that made Ector suspicious of him being here. Cautious he stared as the Shadow king and his party made their way towards Branston for welcoming. Drawing near, the Queen could sense the obscured giant approaching from her right. In honesty, the queen's demeanor entirely changed once the Shadow king stood among them. Her soft royal maiden stature became that of a brooding bitter woman once she laid eyes upon him. "Queen Amelia". He bowed as he addressed her. Still being massive in height, the dark king still towered over them easily. For the queen, she simply turned her nose up and strutted away. 

"Hmph"

          Following behind was a young man carrying a massive broadsword holstered on his back. For those of the northern nations, it was uncommon to wield that particular weapon,  being that it was not as refined as a double edge sword or rapier. With the royal garments he wore that matched the queen's Victorian gown, the sword typically didn't match the garments of a high ranking knight. It was but just an instant, but the young wielder glanced over his shoulder at the two kings. For Branston it was difficult to see his glare, being that his blonde banes fell over his eyes looking back. King to king they spoke among themselves.

"That sword… He must be the youngest son of Eros."

        The Shadow king implied.

"I believe so. He resembles Eros quite a bit."

        Paying no mind, Branston was unaware of the young man that Shadowed the king and caught Ector's attention standing before him. "Oh… I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." 

 "Allow me to introduce one of my loyal diplomats and a member of the Shadow Council: Emeril" 

Strikingly, Emeril's smile grew to a sinister glare. Ector, still watching from afar, became even more uneased of the boy near Branston. Sensing something amist, he felt  something terribly wrong with just his essence near them. "Something doesn't feel right about that kid. I never felt comfortable at all around the Shadow king, but this kid…. This kid wields some kind of miasma around him. It's weird, but my gut has this feeling." He thought to himself. Branston on the other hand was blinded by this, welcoming Emeril as a long lost member of the court. 

"Nice to meet you Emeril. I hope you learn a lot from this summit meeting today."

         Branston extended his hand for a firm handshake. Emeril,  possessing  that same cringing smile, accepted his hand without hesitation.

"I'm looking forward to it My lord."

        From the grip of Emeril's palm Branston began to feel a warm pulsation stretching from his wrist, traveling gradually up his arm. The more he held on, the more it felt as a reptile was slithering up his forearm. Cautious of this, Branston quickly took his hand back. Wondering, Branston paused in his tracks, confused about this feeling from Emeril.

"Ummm"

"Is something the matter King Branston?"

           Emeril asked. Branston could only mutter partial words as he was still confused about the utter feeling that crept up his arm.

"No… Um… Nothing at all."

    He only could forget about it for the moment as the meeting was about to begin. "Let us go take a seat. The meeting is about to begin." 

        It wasn't  too long before everyone of noble blood was entering the dormitory. Many stretched from the high seats to those nearly eyesight to the sovereigns on the floor, eagerly awaiting for the summit to begin. Chatter filled the air, some speaking among themselves about the outcome of the Royal king's banter for peace. Most were positive and warming to hear, while others wittering on about opposing the treaty for the better. The trumpets sounded. Echoing loudly throughout the massive dome to announce the sovereigns entering the room. "Presenting the Chamber of the Crown!!!" 

         The squire standing  in the middle of the room shouted. All stood in honor of the crowned sovereigns and their parties entering through the grand hall. The stone doors cracking open, unveiling the array of light casting from the sun outside. In two rows, the parties of each nation entered, surrounding their crown with their own personnel as they approached the long oval table resting in the middle of the floor. While the crown entered, Allanah and Kayla raced through the corridors of the dome to hurry and see the other crowned members attending the summit. As always, Allanah was late waking this morning and yet again Kayla had to rush her to  prepare. "I can't believe you overslept again!!" 

Kayla shouted.

"You're acting like you didn't keep me up all night talking about random things!!"

    Allanah retorted.

"Ohhhhhh so blame it on me?!!!"   

    Abruptly Allanah felt flustered from Kayla blaming her for the tardiness. A large vein emerged from the side of her temple as she built up the rage to shout back to her.

"YES!!!!!"

    Before they knew it, they entered the isle leading to the platform of the dorm where the summit was being held. 

"We made it in time."

"Yeah, no thanks to you."

    Kayla said under her breath while looking away from Allanah's presence. Overhearing her sly remark, Allanah held her fist to her and shouted.

"Watch it!!"

    Quickly they took their seats toward the lower rows of the dorm, nearly resting eye level with the crown sovereign but just a slight bit higher. Allanah quickly saw her father seated toward the far end of the table towards the pew. At the head of the room, a pew stood tall holding several elder members bearing royal blue garments laces with long silk trim. Each one sat as a choir ready to sing a graceful melody. From the several that were sitting in the tall pew, one rose from his seat to appoint the others. He was an elder man with salt & pepper hair slicked back into a neat ponytail. His beard was combed fine, stretching down his chest nearly to his abdominal. Gracefully stepping to the single bench that beared the crest of the elk in stone, the elder of the royals acknowledged all those in the summit.

"Kings!!! Queens!!! Noblemen!!! We welcome you to this historical event today. As you most know, our King: Lord Branston Arturious Pendragon has a declaration of peace that will unite all nations under neutrality of prosperity."

          Clamor emerged from the silence that captured the voices in the room when the summit began. Lifting his hands to the crowd, the elder silenced the room once more to speak. 

"Preposterous."

"Impossible."

"There is too much bad blood among the crown sovereign for this to work."

              Some of these words fluttered about the noble tongue.

"Please silence your words until you hear the terms, and a stagnant proposition that will redefine the undergoing issue in each kingdom."

            Looking out among the room, the elder knew he had the ear of the people in the dormitory. Carefully he spoke with each drastic word to acclimate his point for the king. "Not only will this unify us, it will also drown out the enemy threat of the Freheit targeting our society. The Sages have given us their blessing to proceed with this treaty. All we ask of you crowned sovereigns, is to join the Royal, Striking, & Shadow kingdom in this conquest."

            The thought had crossed the mind of the crowned beforehand. Branston had done extensive negotiations with the others prior to their arrival. It was months on end, revising a treaty to benefit all twelve kinds and also wither the Freheit from existence. But it finally happened. All that was done was for a new world and a bright future for the youth. Allanah watched proudly as her father's dream was coming to reality. 

"Finally… Finally father, it is happening. "

           She said with a slight smirk on her face. But her eyes couldn't but wonder towards the dark king residing a few seats away from her father.

"Ugh"

            It was a negative aura that mustered the air like a decaying scent. The aura obscured the room with a shadow that only captured her and the king. All others faded into the darkness; blanketing this realm to only present them alone. 

"What is this? This man or being? Is he mortal? or something…."

           The king turned in the direction of her. Eye to eye, the king stared with a menacing glare that escaped the shielding of his mask. Allanah trembled, knowing  that the king had somehow isolated her presence with his. 

"What the hell?"

            Allanah quickly became short of breath, panting heavily as she was drawn into his gaze. 

"What is going on? It feels like… His hands are around my throat."

           The feeling of being strangled became overbearing for Allanah; reaching her hands toward her neck to loosen this imaginary grip on her. Fortunately, Kayla saw Allanah's curious eye watching the king.

"The king of the Shadow land…"

          Kayla's words broke the trance held over her. In the nick of time too.

"Huh?"

"The Immortal king of the Shadows. My father used to tell Arthur and I stories of the land of Shadows and the king."

           Lingering on Kayla's words, Allanah questioned the influence of the king and his power in this world.

"What stories?"

           The look Kayla expressed was of someone that heard the dreadful tales of history. How mankind could ever commit such atrocities, it questioned their own sanity.

"In these tales, my father told us that before the twelve kingdoms were created, there were only three that were sovereign over all. The Forbidden, the Royal which was divided into two factions then, and the Kaos kingdom. My father said that the Kaos kingdom had the mightiest army and re-established its economy quickly after Namira struck our world. There the king ruled with an ungodly grip on society. His armies tumbled over anyone that stood in their way. But when Namira manifested into the world and journeyed across the kingdoms, she supposedly blessed him to aid in changing mankind for the better with a new path less violent than his way. But as history proclaimed, he took that blessing and turned against Namira and her order. He brought upon a great war that cost the lives of many."

             From her dream, Allanah could recollect upon the two shadows waging war against each other in the midst of the ruined city. For just a moment, she revisited the past, but was caught by Kayla continuing on with her tale.

"In the final days of the war, the Shoguns gave their lives and killed the king with a mighty weapon from Namira. Somehow he survived by becoming a mere shadow of himself and living through that armor he wears."

             Allanah asks.

"Does anyone know his true identity?"

            Kayla shook away.

"His name, legacy, and any images have been erased through time. Not even his own council knows who he was. Only that he is immortal."

            Such a being like this existed. Allanah couldn't fathom what kind of creature the king could be or what he might have resembled underneath that mask. It was strange, but Allanah couldn't take her eyes off the king for too long. Wondering her attention is drawn away by a young man standing far by the side of the elder leader wearing a blue cassock, girded and white fringed. He was tall with a mocha like skin and eyes of a light lavender. His hair was the shade of dark purple slicked back behind his ear. Allanah felt something too familiar about this man. She could see the essence of a blue sapphire emerging around him in a cloak of aura. This feeling felt like the waves calming over her body as she was mesmerized by his appearance. Strangely, looking into his eyes, she saw an unusual insignia surrounding his pupils. Growing curious, Allanah thought of no other beings that could bear this unique feature. 

"Who is he?" 

              She said underneath her breath. But as she gazed upon the ebony lord, the face of the hooded figure appeared by his side. With that same menacing grin, he taunted Allanah dreadfully; haunting her as she craved to know his identity. Gritting her teeth, Allanah unknowing began to summon a surge of power through her finger tips. Anxious and flustered, the power from her core lashed out minimally; shocking Kayla's hand that rested near her.

"Ouch!!!!"

            Realizing what she had done, Allanah snaps from her trance and turns towards Kayla, rubbing her hand where she was struck.