Chapter 48: Grand Committee

  Near the center of the corrupted forest and ever so close to the magic dead zone was a marvelous fortress with thirty-foot walls. Inside were countless denizens peacefully living their days in a haven away from the control of gods.

  On the surface, all was well but there was a deep fear seeded into the minds of the small kingdom's citizens. The small army of elite soldiers had returned and wore distraught faces. Their steps were downtrodden, and their expressions were as white as ghosts. They had faced the new god and lost; the god had already grown more powerful than their wildest of dreams.

  Azias, who would ordinarily be seen on his majestic white horse, instead walked on his two feet with his head down in shame. His heart was hot with anger, anger at the god who shamed him and at himself for fearing him. Long ago his mentor had told him that one must be ready to lay down their life for their people, they must have the courage to face their deepest fears. Azias had failed and even the god mocked him for it but then he recalled his words, "No, perhaps not all of you are without conviction." One name came to mind, Kaya. She had been with the god for a long time and she knew of some of his methods. He, at the thought of Scitus, trembled but Kaya had only grown stronger after her recovery. Her expressions had changed from that of anger to that of guilt but not once did Azias see fear in her eyes.

  It was then that Azias made his decision, “I must train her.” He could not be the hero he wished to be but perhaps he could aid in creating one. Azias lifted his head and proudly walked into the city.

  Now clear of mind, he noted that there was a strange bustling about, at first he had thought that it was because of his armies failure but then noted that it was something different. From the corner of a tower wall came a common soldier who, in a panted breath, exclaimed, "Grand Committee!!!" the young man shouted, "Emergency meeting Lord Azais!!!"

  Emergency meetings had only happened thrice before, the first was when they had formed the kingdom, the second was when their king disappeared and the third was during the wyvern attacks. The emergency meetings were things of such high regard and Azais understood its magnitude. It only took a moment for him to dash out of everyone’s sight, his figure could be vaguely seen jumping over the inner city walls and into the main fortress at the heart of the kingdom.

  Azias was met with Selene who stood guard at the inner castle's entrance. she appeared delighted, confused, and infatuated all at the same time. it was as if someone had struck her with a love curse that she couldn't break free from. Azias slowed and readied his blade as if expecting Selene to attack him at any moment.

  “report!!!” Azias shouted as he speedily walked towards the large wooden doors. Selene’s wandering mind was suddenly pulled down to earth, she rose her hand in salute and shouted, “Lord Azias!!” Azias loosened the grip on his blade and relaxed his posture.

  "what the situation." Azias calmly asked as he opened the large wooden doors. Selene accompanied him inside and walked with him for several feet explain the situation, "The god of my old kingdom has just arrived." Azias suddenly stopped in looked at Selene, "Wesil?" Azias asked in complete surprise but Selene shook her head, "my king." Azias remained silent for several moments, it was as if his mind was still processing her words. Finally, after several more moments, he softly said, "Rea, The Honest king"

  Rea The Honest King was once a great benevolent god who dwelled north of the Oasis. Formerly known as Emertan was now known as The Order.  

  Wesil was a lesser god who followed Soen and Soen saw Emerton as a threat and so ordered Wesil to destroy the country. The war lasted a little over two months and Rea's short two-year reign came to an end. There was no one who believed he had survived but he had fled to the oasis, a place where no god dared freely enter.

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Selene returned to her post after briefing Azias and Azias headed to the innermost tower where the meeting would be held.

  The inner tower was a five-story building. Its architecture was a simple rectangular shape and its walls had a thickness of twenty feet. The building was in the innermost part of the castle and was surrounded by a small garden that was protected by thick walls.

The meeting place was on the third floor, Azias sped his pace once more and in only a few minutes reached the meeting place.

  There six familiar faces and two unfamiliar faces. The rooms faces ranged from frustration to anger and even anticipation. At his arrival the room grew silent, creating a small vacuum that removed the air from the room. An older man around thirty-five, whose wrinkled face appeared much older, beckoned Azias to his seat.

  The Grand Committee was composed of seven mighty warriors. Azias, the kingslayer, Emerit, the forgotten king, Terat, The Enchantress, Likon, The Beast Man Of Feren, Ormab, The Eastern Devil and finally Sivan, The Blood Mage.

  Azias took his seat at the round table. Beside him was an enchanting beauty, whit majestic wings adorning her back. Her white skin was like porcelain and without blemish.

  Beside the angelic beauty was rea, a man in his early twenties with long black hair and a scruffy beard. The man's face was handsome, it was as if the sun had never touched his face. He looked perfect beside the angel as if he belonged in that realm.

  “what are we discussing?” Azias asked his peers. The first to answer was Emerit, the wrinkly older man, “they have asked us to assist them reclaiming Emertan.” The room grew silent.

  “My king has offered great rewards for this task.” The Aasimar spoke softly and with a sweet voice, Terat suddenly interjected, “Shut up, your voice irritates me.” Terrat was familiar with enchanting others and despised the feeling of being enchanted. “forgive her, she is still young and can’t control her abilities.” Terat nodded, she had long ago studied Aasimar in her pursuits of enchanting magic.

To the untrained, her voice was as sweet as honey, but to Terrat it felt as if a wriggly worm was crawling up her skin.

  Likon, a large muscular man with black fur that partially covered his body and face, spoke with a bright smile. “I don’t see why not.” The other six leaders patiently listened for Likon to continue, Azias appeared interested, Terrat wore a sly smirk while the other three wore grim expressions. Rea and Michelle, looked at one another as if expecting some preposterous favor.

  Likon's expression grew dim, "have you heard of the god of monsters." the two tilted there head in response, they had been busy trying to survive the oasis dangers and only on a few occasions had they spoken to the fairies about the news. The Fairies had certainly mentioned a god nearby but the fairies never mentioned about the god having monster followers.

  Rea spoke, "I've heard yes, but the fairies seemed to believe this god could be trusted." Likon smiled, "I could care less if he can be trusted, I don't care that he is a benevolent god, I fear one of the greater gods will kill him and take his territory." Azias who was patiently listening interjected. "he is not so weak,"

  “perhaps you are not so strong,” Likon responded. His tone was cold as if finding Azias on worthy of his position as third strongest in the kingdom. Azias smiled and surprised everyone by agreeing with Likons statement, “you are correct, I am not as strong as I previously thought.”

  Likon loudly laughed and his gaze grew in condescension. "you laugh now Likon, but you too are still untested." Azias widely smiled as if having reached enlightenment. His defeat had a profound change in his world view. He thought, he had discovered what his mentors, his kings, words truly meant shortly before he left.

"do you remember Likon." Azias continued, "what our king's final words to us were?"

  “You people are weak and refuse to be your sword and shield.” Azias finally understood the meaning behind those words. Likon stood up and slammed on the oak table with his fists causing it to splinter, “how dare you!!!”

  Of all people in the kingdom, Likon stood closest to their king, they were friends even before the founding of the Godless Kingdom.

  “Enough!!!” Sivan shouted, bashing his staff on the ground causing magical swirls of mana to spark from the bottom of his staff.

  “Hold your tongue Azias, we are yet to discuss your disgraceful loss and as for you Likon, this is not a battlefield, it’s a discussion.” The two warriors settled down, knowing that Sivan was the wisest of them all.

The negations continued all the while Scitus had reached his destination.

  A large spider, the size of an average human, crawled down one of the many dead trees in the dead zone. Its beady eyes penetrated the twelve goblins.

"Why hello, young god, or should I call you The God Of Monsters?"