49 – Council meeting
After a few days, it was finally time for this council meeting. As Lydia led us through the underground passage, the air grew cool and damp. The stone walls were rough-hewn, and the ground beneath our feet was uneven, the rocky surface occasionally giving way to patches of soft earth. The passage was narrow, forcing us to move single file, and the flickering torchlight cast long, dancing shadows on the walls. It was clear that this tunnel was designed for secrecy, a hidden path known only to those trusted by the council. The necessity for such precautions wasn’t lost on me—Volkos had spies everywhere, and the leaders of the free population couldn’t afford to be careless.
After what felt like an eternity of winding paths and sharp turns, we finally emerged into a larger cavern. The air here was slightly fresher, though the scent of earth and moss still lingered. Lydia glanced back at us, her expression serious.
“We’re almost there,” she said quietly. “Remember what I told you—be respectful, and keep an eye out for Naja Scalesong. Her word carries the most weight among the council. If you can earn her approval, the others will likely follow.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. This council represented the last hope for the free people of Ephiria, and our mission to take down Volkos hinged on their support. Failure wasn’t an option.
We continued forward until we reached a large, circular chamber. The space was dominated by a massive tree stump in the center, its surface smooth and polished, serving as a table. Around it, smaller tree stumps had been arranged as makeshift chairs, each one slightly worn from use. The chamber was lit by bioluminescent fungi growing along the walls, casting a soft, blue-green glow that illuminated the faces of the twelve council members. Ten women and two men. A bulky minotaur and an elderly elf with a large white beard.
As we entered, the council members turned their attention toward us. Lydia took her place among them, nodding for me to step forward. I took a deep breath and introduced myself, trying to keep my voice steady.
“My name is Magnus. I’ve come here with my companions to seek your approval in our mission to defeat Volkos. We believe that together, we can bring an end to his reign of terror.”
One of the council members, a middle-aged woman with sharp features and a stern expression, spoke up. Her name was Mirielle Stonebark, a formidable dwarf warrior known for her fierce loyalty to the free people.
“Lydia has already briefed us on your intentions,” she said, her voice steady and commanding. “But we need to hear it from you directly. Why should we trust you?”
I met her gaze, feeling the weight of the entire room’s attention on me. This was it—the moment that would determine our fate.
As I prepared to speak, I couldn’t help but notice Naja Scalesong, the half-lamia, half-cobra woman Lydia had warned me about. She was seated at the far end of the table, her tail coiled elegantly beneath her, and her piercing eyes never leaving mine. Her presence was both intimidating and captivating, and I knew that convincing her would be the key to winning the council’s favor.
But before I could respond, I needed to gather my thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. This wasn’t just about words—it was about conviction, determination, and the willingness to see this mission through to the end.
I took another deep breath, ready to make my case.
“Esteemed council members, allow me to first ask you this. Are you content with the current situation in Ephiria? Do you approve of being under Volkos’s reign?”
“What kind of stupid question is that?” said the bulky minotaur man before continuing: “We wouldn't be hiding in caves like this one if we were happy. It's obvious that we had enough of him.”
“Then, things are actually quite simple. I’ll put it bluntly. I’ll kill Volkos, liberate you all and guide Ephiria into a prosperous future.”
The silence that fell over the room was heavy and tense. Then, Mirielle Stonebark broke it with a low, skeptical laugh.
“Bold words,” she said, her sharp eyes narrowing as she leaned forward on her stump. “But words won’t be enough to kill Volkos. We’ve heard promises of salvation before, and look where we are now—hiding like rats in the dark.”
The minotaur councilman grunted in agreement. “Exactly. Volkos has an army of undead that can’t tire, can’t be reasoned with. And you…” he gestured to Magnus and his party, “are five. Five against thousands. Even if you’re strong, how do you expect to win? What happens if you fail? Volkos will bring his wrath down upon us even worse than before.”
There were murmurs of agreement from the other council members, and Naja Scalesong’s sharp eyes remained fixed on me, waiting for my answer.
I took a moment, glancing at my companions. Leona’s stern nod reassured me, while Saphira and Rusalka stood with unwavering confidence by my side. Rose, ever calm, watched silently, her expression unreadable. They trusted me completely.
“I understand your doubts. It’s true, we are only five. And it’s true that Volkos has an army. But we aren’t here to fight his army.” I paused, letting the words hang in the air before continuing. “This isn’t a war. It’s an assassination.”
Mirielle snorted. “Assassination? Volkos is no mere mortal. He’s a necromancer of unimaginable power. Killing him won’t be as simple as a knife in the dark.”
“I know that,” I said, keeping my voice level. “But what’s keeping him alive isn’t his power—it’s the fear he’s instilled in you. Fear is his greatest weapon. And that’s why he rules. But necromancers have a weakness. If we kill Volkos, his undead army will crumble. No general, no soldiers. Ephiria will be free.”
The elderly elf, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was measured and wise, but there was a clear edge of skepticism. “You speak of killing Volkos as if it’s a simple thing, yet I don’t sense the power from you that could accomplish such a task. No disrespect, young man, but a necromancer of Volkos’s caliber is not easily defeated. It takes more than courage and conviction to slay a master of death.”
I stared at the elf, his gaze unwavering. “I am a mage of the 10th tier.”
The room fell silent again. The council members exchanged glances, some of them raising eyebrows in disbelief. A 10th-tier mage? Such power was nearly unheard of.
The elf’s eyes narrowed further. “Don’t joke around, youngster… if you are truly a mage of such rank, why do I not feel your magic?”
I smiled faintly.
“Because I suppress it,” I said, raising my hand to reveal a simple silver ring on my finger. “I’m very bad at holding back so… I’ve been using this ring for obvious reasons.
You say you can't sense my magic? Then allow me to educate you.”
I slipped the ring from my index finger, the silver band gleaming faintly in the chamber’s dim light.
The moment the ring was removed, the air in the room shifted. It was subtle at first, a faint pressure that pressed against their skin. But it grew quickly. The council members’ faces changed from skepticism to alarm as the weight of how my magic began to manifest.
It was as if a vast ocean of mana was suddenly unleashed, invisible but palpable. The air grew thick, oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. Some of the council members gasped softly, clutching the edges of their chairs. The elderly elf’s eyes widened in shock as he felt the sheer magnitude of the magic that I had been concealing.
Naja Scalesong, who had been so composed, visibly flinched, her coiled tail tightening around the stump beneath her. Even the minotaur shifted uneasily, his massive muscles tensing as if under an unseen force.
I increased the pressure deliberately, my mana flowing freely like a storm barely held in check. The air crackled with raw energy, and for a moment, it felt as though the entire chamber was vibrating with the power emanating from him. Every breath was labored, every movement heavy.
The council sat frozen, their previous skepticism drowned in the overwhelming force of my power. But I can't take this too far either.
Just as suddenly, I slipped the ring back onto my finger, and the pressure vanished. The air lightened, the atmosphere returning to normal as if nothing had happened. The council members took a collective breath, some visibly shaken by the experience.
I looked at the elf, who stared back at him with wide eyes, his skepticism replaced by awe.
“You were saying?” I asked quietly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then, finally, Naja Scalesong leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking with mine.
“Power is one thing,” she said slowly, her voice steady despite the lingering tension. “But power without purpose is dangerous. You say you want to kill Volkos. You say you want to bring peace to Ephiria. But why? What is your goal? What do you truly want?”
“Happiness. I come from a world where corruption and injustice were rampant. I saw firsthand what happens when power is abused and when those with strength use it only for their own gain. I don’t want to rule Ephiria for the sake of power. I want to create a place where everyone can live freely, without fear. A place where people can be happy.”
After another moment of silence, Naja once again spoke.
“We will… consider your request. Please allow us to debate and…”
But before she could finish her sentence, the earth beneath our feet violently shook.
“Wha-what’s going on!? Is this your doing? You’ve proven your point already!!”, said the minotaur.
“No! I’m not the one that's doing this. If I wanted to show off, I wouldn't settle for just a tremor. This shockwave… is coming from above us!!”
Just what the hell is going on right now? Things sure have twisted suddenly. What could cause the ground to shake like this?