Finally, the last guest enters the room. Lateness is uncommon for elves.

Even though he is late his face is that of a person who entered just as he planned to. Perhaps he wanted the rest to wait for him, perhaps he didn't even care.

Nonetheless he sits quietly with his retainers standing behind him.

Just as he does a voice is heard "I thought elves are proud." Coming from A'yamaar's king "Not enough I suppose."

"We have plenty of pride for the good of, but no need to honor monsters." The elf emperor answers directly to king of A'yamaar who looks visibally enraged by that statement.

"Are you going to stay with for the entire meeting, elf? Or is a different dynasty going to take over soon?" A'yamaar is not one to be left indebted with words but soon enough...

"I will be the soul ruler of the entire kingdom for the rest of the meeting, can you say the same? Human?" This is getting out of hand, I don't know what to do.

"Finally, we are all here, let us discuss the matter at hand instead of fight." Says the Dragonkind to my right. "After all, it is not a normal meeting, all of us are here because it conserns us all."

"Let me begin!" I try to start the meeting. "Let us begin with a short introduction, to those who require it. From my left:

Dzar Nikola representing the 'closed country' of the covenant of Atamor.

Von Franz, representing A'yamaar.

Sorteiva representing the church.

King Aether the 8th representing Uesteroza.

Zaozai representing Xixia.

Unnamed ruler representing the dark elf kingdom.

Adgoicho representing the Mythical dragons.

And of course myself, Phamir representing Mizran"

Some of them are looking to the seemingly empty seat of the unnamed dark elf ruler.

"Is that a stand in empty chair or are there ninjas over there?" Franz asks half jokingly.

"I assure you, we are now at full attendance, now may I begin?"

"With all due respect, how do we turn to the unnamed leader of the dark elf kingdom if he is unnamed?" A question comes from Aether although by the faces and eyes I can tell he is not the only one curious.

"We can call him drow... oh but then won't we mistake him for you, wouldn't we?" Zaozai says pointing his gaze at Sorteiva while not even trying to hide a smug smirk on his face.

"My name is Sorteiva, not Drow anymore, and you should do well to remember that. It was originally an elven ritual, I believe, or do you not even know or respect your own history? Zao," just like Sorteiva to answer in a way that makes Zaozai unsure on weather he won the argument or lost.

"We will not need to call him by name. I called you here to warn you of impending doom." As I say that the room has my attention, even the retainers are listening in with curiosity.

"Should we take this as a threat?" Nikola asks, a brave voice with a bit of aggression. Only confirming that he truly hopes for it to be true.

"I do not mean anything of the sort, I called all of you because a great chaos and evil will soon be unchained upon the world. It has been devined by prophecy."

Their fears are confirmed, some seem more worried than the others, one who seems unfazed is Franz who wastes no time saying "And who told you that? Is it the dwarf behind you who told you such nonsense?"

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Behind me stands one of my advisors, a dwarf known as Zev, who indeed had part in the divination.

In Mizran, dwarves are considered knowledgeable and helpful, but for A'yamaar they are greedy pests. The A'yamaar are partially the reason for the dwarves scarcity.

It is no surprise that Franz would find a reason to lash at him and with impending doom the dwarves will become devils in A'yamaars minds.

"The dwarves have knowledge of the world, their involvement is a blessing in cases such as this." Sorteiva argues to calm Franz "Besides, we wouldn't all be here for the words of one dwarf."

"Tohu" I continue.

This name is enough to shock all the presents. "Tohu will return soon, and when he does he will destroy as he pleases without conscience or remorse. Such is his nature."

"Nonsense, he was sealed and that seal is still strong." Zaozai tries to calm the room, or perhaps just himself.

"It is not known how, or where, but it is going to happen, no doubt there. And soon in the relative sense."I try to assure everyone of how grave the situation is with certainty.

"How soon?" Aether asks worried. None of us are keen to let Tohu into the world when we all know of his nature.

"Within our lifetime."

"Why tell us this?" Adgoicho is asking with an honestly confused tone.

"Tohu was sealed in your land, it should be your responsibility." Nikola seems angry that I brought it up, the closed country does not concern itself with others problems, unless if it is beneficial to itself, and only with threats, slavery or genocide.

"Tohu breaking out will effect us all." Zev steps forward with these words but a harsh stare from Nikola makes him back down. Atamorians pillaged dwarves almost as much as A'yamaarians.

"Atamor can fend for itself. We will be swift with Tohu, but only when we need to be." Nikola replies.

Is it a bluff? Or perhaps he truly believes he can defeat a dragon god all by himself?

"I think I have heard enough. I do not need to concern myself with your safety. If you cannot fight Tohu, when it comes for Atamor we will dispatch of him and claim what remains of your land." He says as he gets up to leave.

If he had true confidence in this plan he would not have shared it. I think he knows the danger and hopes we will win for him without needing to lift a finger.

"For the least educated, it is surprising he has a good point. Do not expect aid from your enemy." Zaozai points the focus to me, now everyone waits to hear my reply, knowing it cannot be convincing much.

... Silence.

But it is broken. At first I was glad that something broke the silence I was so helpless against. But the noise is of a single note dropped one the empty chair next to Zaozai. One of my retainers walks to the chair and reads the note aloud. "The elves will prepare for invasion." A subtle clue but all of us understand. The dark elves will not be of aid.

"How dare they call themselves the elves." Exists Zaozai's mouth but the conversation continues with adgoicho's comment "You are desperate, if you would call even upon myself. But even if not to loot your country after it dies, why should we help you?"

An answer exist my mouth almost without thinking "It helps us all. It concernes us all. I ask you not as a protector of Mizran but as a man seeking to prevent carnage and chaos."

It seems it is not enough as Zaozai leaves without saying a word, not even looking to the table.

Adgoicho stays at the table. I do not know how to interpret dragonfolk expressions but I assume he stays only for curiousity.

"We have our own plague to rid of." Franz says as he looks directly at me, but his body is directed at Zev. He probably means dwarves, gnomes and the like. Seems that A'yamaar is more concerned with non humans than with anything else.

Aether adds to his comment. "For every sealed beast in another land Uesteroza has 10. We are stretched thin and much of our resources go to our own buried dangers, " And with a spiteful glare at Franz he says "and against other oppressions."

"It is very unfortunate, because it is also prophesized that Uesteroza will have the worst of it." Is tell him. Aether, seemingly at a loss for words turnes to Sortriva who remained silent for a long time.

"Sorteiva! You are defender of mankind, are you not? Destroyer of evil. If not you who else will fight Tohu?" I implore him to give a response and his answer?

"The paladin circle is already concerned with urgent and critical business. Eradicating evil is a job that never ends."

"We all have assignments. Not one paladin rests." The man behind Sorteiva standing as a retainer, also in paladin armor, joins in the conversation.

Sorteiva lifts his hand and jestures him to stop. "Lance, there is no need for this. My word is the message of the church."

Sorteiva says one last time "The church cannot help you."

Franz adds "No king in A'yamaar will help you"

Aether refuses to lose to either and slightly louder proclaims "Uesteroza cannot spare a single soldier. Surely Mizran can deal with just 1 seal."

Adgoicho looks in silently. Hoping I will be desperate enough to offer riches for his aid? The fool. Fools, all of them.

They all leave, one by one.

I sit at the table alone, with Zev and my retainers. "I foresaw this, already knew how selfish they all are." I tell them, even though they are behind my back, all of them can hear me.

"Worst of all I feel for Uesteroza." Zev laments "But Mythos will not forsake us. We just need hope and prayer."

"You and your prayer won't help, not even a miracle will help." I lash at him "Cancel prayers and replace them with training. Everyone's schedule will prioritize strength over a miracle from now."