The Azure Concilium held their meeting on the 13th day of January every year. They met, as they always did in a fortified underground bunker located deep in the Sahara desert, as far from society and civilization as one could get. Typically they had little to discuss, after several thousand years of manipulation and covert control there were few if any situations that the Council had not dealt with in its time. (Since the end of the cold world war there had been no major threats to the Concilium and the Bloodlines way of life.)

Felix and his new direction for the Balduin Family, one of the older bloodlines of the Concilium, was something that had not been seen since the time of the Romanovs however.

He travelled there alone naturally. Only the Heads of the Families were ever privy to such guarded information.

Before we begin the meeting I believe it prudent to explain however just who and what the Azure Concilium are. For they are far more than just a simple group of Bloodlines. Far deeper and far stranger than one could ever imagine.

They and their history are in themselves almost certainly worthy of an entire book, several in fact. But not this one. Here I will simply try to give you those pieces of information most necessary to understanding the main of their religion and beliefs.

To give them some point of relation, one could call them a combination of Essene, Nazarene and Mandaean sect beliefs, though only in the far ancient sense.

Their religion was Gnostic, the original Gnostic religion and it held that they were the direct descendants of Adam.

It was therefore they the Bloodlines who were the inheritors of the secrets passed down from one generation to another since the time of Adam. Adam being the first of their Kind. They alone therefore were responsible for the balance of the world they inhabited.

Though there were some minor differences between the Bloodlines on the main points they kept the same core principles. That is;

-There was a cosmic Battle between the two halves of one one force, those Christianity named God and Devil, though the Concilium referred to them in the Ancient Greek forms, as Παντοδύναμος and φυγή. (Roughly translated to the Almighty and the Exile)

-Those two were Brothers and sons of the Εξουσία (Power). They were locked in a war for dominion over Earth.

-Adam was created by the Almighty as a perfect specimen, the Exile had not the power to create people through such means, he instead manipulated already present animals (apes) and moulded them into beings which could be used to further his own aims.

-At first, those of Adam’s blood, true humans, had been dominant. (It may be interesting to note that the term Blueblood was a reference lost in time to those of true human creation. A subtle indication of one Family's ancient origins.) They created an oasis in a world of barely literate people with the island of Atlantis. A place possessed of technology millenia ahead of those evolvii humans of the Exile.

-For thousands of years the Earth was theirs to do as they saw fit. Where the lesser humans bowed to them and served as docile servants and slaves. Just as the Exile bowed to the Almighty.

-The Almighty however had grown ambitious, in his desire for more he had sought out new Worlds. Worlds beyond his own, those owned by his Father, Εξουσία. When his father discovered it he punished his oldest son and cast down the home of his creations. Atlantis was at once covered in a hail of ice, fire, earth and water. Soon destroyed and ruined forever.

-The Almighty, greatly cowered and weakened by his Father was forced into hiding to restore and rebuild himself. With his last act however he had managed to save a select few of his designs and granted them the means to survive. Those who survived later became the Bluebloods, or the Concilium. Scattered it would take years before they could regroup and reform into any semblance of a society. But once they did they set about creating a circle of power around themselves.

-By then the apes, creations of the Devil, had greatly engulfed the world, and grown far more populous than true sons of Adam. They were, however, on the whole easily led. Pushed, probed and coerced they could be controlled and manipulated to serve the needs of the Concilium. The Exile though, protected them and under his power his creations soon came to dominate and rule the world.

-The Bluebloods were forced again into hiding even deeper, wary of being exposed to the brother of their Master and his wrath. So it remained for a thousand years until seeing what was being done to his dominion and eager for revenge the Almighty gathered what strength he had remaining to attack his Brother and bring down the Great Flood on the evolvii. So started the world anew.

-With both the Almighty and the Exile weakened time was given to the Bluebloods to enact their own schemes and they soon gained places of prominence within the society.

-The Power, tired of his sons destruction of the realm he had freely given them, bound both to a strict set of edicts. Most significant and relevant of which was that neither Brother could henceforth intervene. Both had left creations on the Earth, they would decide who was worthy of ruling it.

-Thus the Bluebloods were tasked with controlling and maintaining authority over these lesser men.

-With the remnants had to try and rebuild themselves. They choose to do so by creating a united body known as the Concilium. Because they were so greatly outnumbered had to resort to other methods to control their more populous imitations.

-Their aim therefore was not to kill all people, indeed there were others of Adam’s blood, though very few remained outside the 12. But more than that, they could not achieve full victory because they had such little numbers. Had to instead manipulate and control what they could until a time when the Almighty called down to them again and helped to create an Atlantis anew.

His last command to them had been to wait, keep a balance and control what needed to be controlled. When he came again it would be to do Battle once and for all with Exile. In the end the world would be his and by extension theirs. Once completed they could then look to other Worlds. For the God of the bloodlines still sought out new realms for himself. Unhappy to continue as a mere subject of Εξουσία, though he feigned renewed fervour and loyalty to his Father he had not abandoned his plans for taking over the entire system of realms.

-Thus they considered themselves neither good nor evil, merely Keepers of the balance. If that balance meant the killing of one group than so be it, feelings such as guilt or trauma were not considered applicable within the Religion. Only what was necessary, and what wasn’t. They were to control and manipulate the masses and that was it.

-On the afterlife, they believed that when they died they went to the land of the Almighty, where they would wait with their Leader until the earth and beyond was ready for conquest once more.

The beliefs of their faith were a major reason why any new Bloodlines were so carefully and seldomly chosen. It was not just a case of power and prestige, there were religious and spiritual consequences to be considered. Any new Bloodline faced strict screening and examination before they could even begin the process of initiation. Within their sect they believed it was they and they alone who understood truly the world and its secrets.

Any new initiates therefore had to be confirmed as People of Adam before ever being permitted to meet or interact with anything remotely associated to the Concilium. It was also why relationships within the Bloodlines were both approved and required. Mixing with an evolvii was not possible for one of Adam’s blood, not if they wished to keep their own pure.

The meeting took place inside the ancient Vault. Originally an outpost of the Atlantis Empire it now served as the ultimate stronghold for the Concilium. Buried 100ft down into the ground and comprising of several levels the entire vault was a technologically advanced marvel that provided the means for the Bloodliness to observe and analyse the world around them.

At its deepest level were the council chambers. A lavishly constructed meeting room dominated by a round table of thirteen seats. Each seat unique, each one specially created for the Bloodline head who sat there. For your reference I shall give the names of the Thirteen. Some more prominent in the meeting than others though they were all technically considered to be equals within the Concilium.

* 1. Astor Bloodline 2. Bundy Bloodline

* 3. Collins Bloodline 4. DuPont Bloodline

* 5. Freeman Bloodline 6. Kennedy Bloodline

* 7. Li Bloodline 8. Onassis Bloodline

* 9. Rockefeller Bloodline 10. Russell Bloodline

* 11. Van Duyn Bloodline 12. Merovingian Bloodline

* 13. Rothschild Bloodline

The Heads of the Bloodlines arrived one by one and took their seats silently. First names were not used within the meeting, only ever addressing each other by one’s bloodline name instead.

Astor was to begin the meeting. Each year a new Head was given the lead of the meeting and he was the designated Chair for this year. It was continuous sharing of the responsibility. Though truly that responsibility simply consisted of formally introducing and closing the gathering.

Within the meeting they spoke exclusively in Ancient Greek, though I will translate it into the English as best I can.

“Welcome Brothers in Blood. Men of Adam and of the Almighty, we who are destined to inherit the earth. We are gathered here this evening to plan and bring forth discussion that which will lead to our Greater Glory. And to that which will aid in the Almighty until the time when he is ready once more to walk amongst us again. As always we have much and more to discuss. One issue of course rises above all else.”

Felix glanced up at Astor at that. He knew what that one issue was.

For him all of this was new, a journey into the unknown. He knew in theory what was to happen, Alexander had made sure of that before meeting his end. But still, here now in that moment even for a man of Felix’s ilk it was difficult to maintain his usual self-assuredness and composure.

“But let us get to that, and a great deal more presently, first allow us to share and discuss world affairs in relation to our own desires and aims. Head Merovingian, if you’d please.”

Head Merovingian nodded, “With pleasure. First let me begin by saying all is in order. Covid has run its course, a necessary attempt if perhaps not as well run as we should have liked. Though such is the way of the evolvii. Little runs well when they are involved. However we have gained much by the experience, the findings are even now still being compiled. With this new army of date we shall easily be able to bring into being the next chapter of our Blueprint. Forced isolation seems to have had rather unexpected effects on their populace. 27% of the world’s population now lives and works from their home. Most now strive to achieve it in fact. Once we had dealt with the automobiles of the people they will be more homebound than in any other period of history. Meanwhile the move to the virtual world continues to push them further away from the real. So much so that most will no doubt welcome the chance to escape their reality to live anew in a world of our own design. It will take time naturally, but once achieved we will cease being troubled by variables, or at least not near so many as there are at present.”

“Then everything is truly in order. And what of the automobile industry Collins.”

“Yes, just as Merovingian has said, all is in order. The time of diesel and petroleum is coming to an end. The People are ready to give in to the electric revolution. And once it is in place, it will be possible to both monitor and control who, where and when one drives. No one will be able to move without our say so.”

“And we are sure this is not too obvious.” Onassis cut in, “As Merovigian has rightfully said, there were those few who did not stand for the Covid measures. Those same people will likely not stand for the electric vehicle overhaul either.”

“Those people are branded as conspiracy theorists by most, they won’t be a problem. Not a big one certainly. We will deal with them. Just as we always do.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Onassis shrugged, “Yes, yes, I suppose you are right. Though I grew tired of riots and protests. They stir up too much stress in my old age. I can not have anything ruin the work we have done so far.” He waved a bony finger around the table. “Anything.”

Felix smiled, he knew exactly what the old Head meant by anything. The elder’s stress was not something he was overly concerned about however.

“And the next stage, Head Bundy, the environmental isolations? They are progressing well, yes?” Astor gestured for Bundy to speak.

“Well yes, though it will be some years before we might use them on a world scale. Which, I’m sure you’ll agree is not something to worry about. After covid it seems wise to allow some time before we initiate shutdowns once more.”

“Well, I believe that is something we can all agree on. Good, then with everything in order it seems time to address that which I, as many of you will perhaps agree with, find the most pressing and urgent of those issues facing us tonight.The other matters will wait. But before we do so let us vote. Is there any here who believes the recent involvements of the Balduins are no Concilium matter but one solely for the Bloodline itself to deal with?”

No one made any move to intervene.

“Very well then, it is agreed that it is indeed a matter for the Concilium. Head Balduin, perhaps you would take it upon yourself to begin this chapter.”

“Just as he has taken it upon himself to do a great deal else.”

Felix thought about it, but held back responding to Russell’s provocation, he needed to be perfect for things to go his way.

“Firstly allow me to say how honoured I am to be here. This is a day I have long waited for, one that I am glad to see finally arrive.”

Felix looked at each of the 12 members in turn. Some gave a nod of their head in acknowledgement, most just continued staring without showing any sign of emotion. Though Felix felt their judgement all the same.

“I am sure you all have many questions, about this new Island of mine, about my desire to be public, the UN, even about my Family. I would do my best to answer all of them, whatever they may be. But first let me assure you that what I do I do for the benefit of the Almighty and our Mission here on Earth.”

“And for the Concilium?” Head Russell added.

“Yes, and for the Concilium. Naturally, our Mission and the Concilium are one and the same are they not?”

“You are quite brash for one attending his first gathering.” Russell shook his head.

“You don’t approve?” Felix asked.

“Of that and more.”

“Perhaps…” Head Astor interrupted before any more could be said.

“Perhaps you should start at the beginning. To explain yourself as it were. We knew you would be attending as the new Head of your Family, though I nor anyone else expected both Alexander and old Eustace to be so violently removed from Azure affairs.”

“That was a family dispute, one that went back to my Father. It is dealt with now. And has no bearing on any other affairs.”

“No bearing?” Head Li scoffed, “It set off the most radical changes in any of the 12 Families in over a hundred years and you say it has no bearing?”

“All that has happened would have happened regardless of my deceased Uncle and Grandfather. As Head I had my own designs.”

“Ah yes, your designs. Designs which are very much your own.” Head Russell glared over at Felix. “There are ways of doing things, matters that must be discussed beforehand. All of which you did not do. Did not follow.”

“Ways of doing things are not rules. I chose Syrnat as my island because it is far away from any of your own spheres of influence, it has no impact on the Concilium or any one of you.”

“You state that quite emphatically Balduin. Can you be so sure?” Head Li asked, “Perhaps if you were working behind the scenes it might be so. What care would we have for an island somewhere away from anything important in the world? But you are not working behind the scenes are you? And that is where the true issue lies. You have chosen to reveal yourself? Why? I beg you do not say for pride? We are better than that.”

“I believe the island was a necessary acquisition, and one which benefits because of me and my Family's exposure.”

“How so?” Head Astor frowned at Felix, “how would you justify such an action that goes against everything we stand for?”

“Well firstly I am not the only public member of our Council. Saxe-Coburg and Bourbon both remain more than prominent on the world stage. I sought to join them. For I believe they have the right of it. Our power should not be solely resigned to the shadows. The people should see it, witness it.”

Head Saxe-Coburg laughed lightly, “Both of us have been Royalty since the 16th century young Balduin, it is hardly the same. Your face, and that of your wife, sister and two cousins now adorns every media outlet both online and traditional all over the world. And has done for the past month. It’s too obvious, too intrusive. That is not the kind of attention we need. Not now, not ever.”

“And how long will that last? Another month? Two. The evolvii will find another distraction, I’ll admit there is a rather intense glare on me and my Family as of now. But it will fade, you know it will. After all, do not the Rockefellers and Rothschilds both live on the perennial edge of the public’s imagination. It has not done them any undue harm has it? They have managed it. Why then can’t I? When everything is settled we will be left with an island of our own. A place where we can do as we see fit. Even the Royal Families among us would not wield the kind of power I will.”

“I would hardly compare this island away from all semblance of society and civilisation to my own island. Or that of Head Bourbon’s.”

“Not yet. Though neither would I compare your role as Royalty to my own. You wield power, but I am an absolute, with complete and utter reign over my nation's affairs. Neither you nor Bourbon could say the same.”

“He has a point,” Bourbon shrugged, “perhaps another physical representation would be no bad thing. An island of our own would make a fine thing. A preparation plane for the return of the Almighty.”

“Precisely,” Felix was pleasantly surprised to find Bourbon an ally. Though perhaps it was not so surprising. He too had earned the chagrin of the Concilium in his early years. His increasingly public profile drawing the wrong kind of attention.

“Seems like a lot of talk to excuse vanity to me,” Russell said pointedly. “We could all go out and acquire an island. Would that also be to the benefit of the Concilium? We work in the shadows for good reason. The evolvii may not be the most sentient, but they would begin to put such obvious pieces together. Who knows where that could lead to.”

Felix snorted at that, Russell was increasingly annoying him. “How many islands do you think there are? Syrnat has become what it is for me because I followed my Father’s advice. There may be one, possibly two more locations as suitable as Syrnat was for me, though I doubt even that. This was no rash indulgence. Everything has been done with minute precision and the utmost care. I did not simply acquire an island. I won it, by public opinion and in the eyes of the world, against an evil and immoral regime. I am a hero.”

Now it was Russell’s turn to laugh, “A hero is it? Nonsense, you are an arrogant young fool. You should reeducate yourself on our purpose, boy.”

“I know our purpose better than anyone. Which is why I am not content to merely sit idly by, gathering wealth and corrupting while nothing changes.”

“The Almighty ordered us to do as much, to gather our strength and keep the evolii under our control.”

“Yes, just as we have done for thousands of years now. And are we any closer to achieving our goals?”

“The Almighty left us his orders fool. We are doing just what he commanded us to do. Nothing more nothing less. We must have everything perfect for his return.”

“But why wait? We know the prophecy, which is more than can be said for the Evolvii. We might achieve victory without having the Almighty do it for us. Surely that would be desirable, to both him and us.”

Felix’s words seemed to shock the room somewhat. For a long time no one spoke, the silence gave Felix time to reflect. Perhaps he should not have been quite so abrupt in his speech.

“Are you suggesting you have knowledge above the Almighty? Is that it?” Astor finally broke in. He didn’t appear angry, he seemed genuinely interested to see if Felix did in fact believe he did have such knowledge.

“I was mistaken. It is not arrogance that makes him speak as such. The Balduin Head is mad.”

Felix frowned and looked at first Astor and then Russell. “Perhaps it is time to stop working in the shadows? Why continue to work so covertly. We have worked so hard and for so long to control the people. Why not now work to make them love us, support us. Done correctly we would not need to work behind the scenes. We look on the evolvii as our enemy. But can they be? When 99.9% of them do not know who or what we are. We don’t have to control them, nor ever fight them. We can make them ours. They will be of use to us when the Almighty makes his return. Willing servants to enact our will. We will need their labour to create Atlantis anew. On this world and others they will be needed. We’ve controlled them enough, enough so that we don’t have to be focused on ultimately wiping them out. There is no need. Not anymore. There won’t be a war between us. I say then we prepare properly for the return of the Almighty. We start to create lands in our own image. In his image.”

“It is perhaps just as well you killed Alexander, he and most certainly Eustace would have never allowed you to utter such nonsense.”

Felix laughed suddenly, “On that point Head Russell I will fully agree. I am rather certain they would not have.”

“And neither shall we.”

Astor raised a hand, “Wait, Russell. There is due procedure, he just like any of us will have his words brought to a vote. Then are there any in favour of Balduin keeping the island as it is?”

First Bourbon, then Li and finally the Merovingian raised their hands. Though he gave no sign of it, Felix was pleased that at least some of his peers regarded his acquisition as a valuable one.

Deep down he could not have expected anything other than what was taking place.

“So it is three to nine, and with that we are decided. Head Balduin, you will retreat and retire from the Island and resign as King. Place who you wish as its Head. You are to return to the previous status and locale given to Balduin. Once you have done all of that we shall consider you free of any problems. When next we meet we expect all of this we have mentioned to have been implemented and finalised. Should it not…then we, the Concilium must intervene. No one Bloodline and no one man amongst us can go against the majority. Do as we have said and we shall consider you a true Head and member of our Concilium.”

“Then I am to throw away everything I have worked for?”

“Yes. And be glad we are giving you the opportunity to do so. Were your Family not so long lived we would not perhaps be so lenient.”

(Despite their ruthlessness, it was generally a last resort of the Concilium to get rid of a Bloodline completely. With their numbers already so few they could ill afford to lose that few which they had. It was therefore far more preferred to remove any rebellious Heads in lieu of another of the same Family who was more in line with the thinking of the Concilium. Unfortunately for them with Alexander and Eustace dead, only Renal and Arisan remained as potential Heads. Neither of which would ever entertain the idea of going against their cousin.)

Felix had to bite back his retorts, he had held out a strong hope that he might be able to convince enough of the others to his way of thinking. And at least that he would be able to keep Syrnat, under conditions given to him by the Concilium. The prospect of losing it and everything he’d worked so hard to gain was a grave one.

“Then let us consider the matter decided. Head Balduin we shall have men sent over with you to ensure all runs smoothly. Should our assistance be needed in any way then know that we will not hesitate to answer.”

Felix forced a smile and nodded at Astor’s words, he knew exactly what kind of assistance Astor was referring to.

“Now then, let us move onto the Middle East. There remains much to be divided and secured before we can move further with our plans. Head Van Duyn, if you’d please.”

Felix maintained an interested appearance for the rest of the meeting. Though in truth he heard little and spoke nothing for the remainder. He raised his hands when others did and kept it down when others didn’t. All of the discussion meant little to him.

Syrnat was lost, the Concilium had made their decision. His dream, his Father’s dream was at an end. Or so it seemed. And would have for most any man. Not Felix. Already he knew he would not be giving up Syrnat. It was his. So long as he breathed he would not relinquish it. Whatever the Concilium thought or believed none of them had been chosen, it was he and he alone who received the visions. It was he and he alone who would decide Syrnat’s future.

Felix did not wait around after the meeting. Though most of the other Heads remained to continue their own discussions in private, there was no obligation to do so. In fact, Felix was almost encouraged to make an early departure, receiving more than one indication that he should hurry home to begin the process of untangling himself and his Family from the Island. He had no problem doing so, from the moment they’d confirmed that he must vacate what had been so hard won he was eager to return home. He would not give in of course, that was never an option.

Strangely he felt somewhat relieved, since taking the island he had not been clear on what defined his next objective. He knew Syrnat was key, the island would be his fortress, his means of changing the world. But the Concilium had always loomed large, a constant shadow over all he did. He’d spent his time pondering on how and what he could do to make them a part of his vision. Boarding his jet back for Syrnat it was now plain to see that the Concilium would play no part in his Syrnat. It made his goals all the more difficult, but that did not bother him, in the moment he’d felt deflated, disappointed. Now he only felt a surge of energy. He would find a way, it would come to him, from his own mind or his visions, he had no doubt of it. If the Concilium did not want him, then he would do without. Felix Balduin. King. He was the true son of Adam. He had achieved two of his greatest goals in life. Gaining revenge for his father’s murder, and the taking of Syrnat. Now he had his third and by far the most difficult. He closed his eyes and lay back in his seat as the jet took off.

He would end the Concilium.