Chapter 145: The Gathering of Leaders
Raj stepped through the glowing portal, his coat fluttering behind him. The moment his boots touched the ground of Base 1’s portal deck, dozens of soldiers turned and saluted.
Rick followed behind him with Meera and her parents. The base’s medical team rushed forward with stretchers and gentle hands, quickly tending to the wounded. Raj handed the little girl to a kind-faced nurse, who smiled and took her gently.
"Treat them well," Raj said softly, then turned to Rick. "You did good, Rick. I’ll make sure your work’s recognized."
Before Rick could even reply, a soldier approached Raj.
"General Raj, sir! Urgent news. The high command just sent word—
The Leaders are arriving. A council meeting has been called."
Raj raised a brow. "So they’re doing the meeting here... Interesting."
Raj walked through the inner corridors of Base 1, each step echoing faintly against the polished stone. The hallway opened into the Great Assembly Hall, a vast chamber buried deep beneath the earth—shielded with mana-sealed walls and reinforced by ancient enchantments.
The ceiling arched high above, decorated with shifting murals of glowing runes and constellations. Large crystal lanterns floated mid-air, casting a soft blue light over the circular stone floor. In the center stood a broad round table—etched with the sigils of all twelve nations, though only six still remained in the resistance. Twelve obsidian chairs circled it, but only six were ever occupied these days.
Flags of fallen nations still hung in quiet honor, and a single golden banner of the Revolutionary Alliance waved above the table—a phoenix rising from flame, its wings spread in defiance.
As Raj entered, soldiers saluted him from both sides. He nodded back silently, his mind already preparing for what was to come.
Not long after, glowing portals began opening throughout the main hall. One by one, familiar faces returned.