Sorn’s eyes were closed as he prepared himself for the incoming spear that would lead to his end. He then heard a booming voice in front of him, breaking his trance and causing his eyes to open again.

In front of him, standing strong and proud, was the boy who had been standing next to Crystal. On the back of his Academy uniform was the design of a large ax, as he met Varian’s gaze with unflinching eyes.

Varian: “Oden, what is the meaning-”

Oden: “O Council, hear my proposition. The boy you are killing is a boy of the skies. I repeat what Madam Freyja stated, what is this if not a sign from Seraph!”

The violent sound of clinking chains could be heard from the thrones. It was Cedric, looking down at Oden with extreme distaste.

Cedric: “You dare spew nonsense we have heard before? You are below even the girl I told off before. Know your place and-”

A stomp echoed from the other side of the thrones, rattling the entire room. Bjorn looked uncharacteristically annoyed.

Bjorn: “Tread carefully when speaking to my nephew Cedric. He speaks on my behalf. Continue boy.”

Oden nodded.

Oden: “I offer you an accord. I believe the outsider can be a definitive asset in the war. So I inquire of you to have a revote with these conditions. We allow the boy into our Subclan. The Marauders will be responsible for all of his actions. He will participate in the upcoming tournament. His actions within the tournament and the Prophecy from thereon will decide his fate.”

Bjorn let forth a hearty laugh, amused greatly by the idea.

Bjorn: “A splendid idea! Well done my boy, you never fail to impress!”

Sorn looked at the boy from his raised platform with confusion. He had no clue who he was, much less why he might be helping him. This entire situation was, truthfully, extremely confusing to him.

Varian: “I commend you for your cunning boy. However, revotes are not part of our customs. Maybe if you introduced your farce earlier, you may have succeeded. Now move, the immediate execution shall commence.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Oden nodded and stepped aside, and from the corner of his eye, Sorn saw Crystal biting her lip, her hand twitching. Keilan shook her head at her, a clear warning not to interfere. Sorn took a sharp breath, but horns overwhelmed the background, and immediately, everyone in the room, including Varian.

Varian: “What brings you to our humble estate Emperor?”

Emperor?

Sorn turned around to see a tall and old man, walking in from the entrance extremely slowly. He used an ice staff to prop himself up, and he struggled to walk normally. His bald head was covered by a crown made of ice and jewels, and his pale blue eyes had a distant look of wisdom about him.

Emperor: “Harmony is achieved not through uniformity, but through the coexistence of diverse paradigms. Would you not agree my dear Varian?”

Varian: “Of course My Lord but-”

The Emperor held up his hand, causing the head of the Council to halt his dialogue. He then slowly made his way to Crystal, kissing her on the head and whispering something Sorn couldn’t hear before he stood next to Oden, patting him on the back. Oden’s bulky figure towering over the hunched Emperor’s figure was certainly a sight, but the quietness within the room was unlike anything that had been heard before thus far.

Emperor: “Winter ends soon, and with it Spring shall arrive. As we feel its warmth, I hope that it can thaw our hearts of ignorance, and bring forth compassion and wisdom. Seraph has gifted us with a snowflake.”

He pointed his cane towards Sorn, acknowledging him directly.

Emperor: “Just as every unique snowflake contributed towards the beauty of the landscape we stand on, so too are each of us essential in this fabric of existence. You forget yourself and act with haste and ambition Varian. This boy could be a poison just as well as a light. The noblest virtue is our righteousness.”

Varian: “But sire, surely, for our sake, we cannot allow yet another threat to our Order? Are we not in a current state of peril?”

Emperor: “Your reasons are well thought, but to discard the light given to us by the Lord himself is a violation of our mandate. I did not appoint you as leader to commit such evil doings. The boy shall join the Marauders, and will participate in the tournament unless the Prophecy deems him a threat. I will not hear any opposition and expect these orders to be followed.”

Sorn was surprised to see Varian keep himself composed, despite the distaste he had shown this far towards this idea. Observing the area, it had seemed that everyone was more surprised to just see the Emperor rather than his demands. Having said his piece, he, accompanied by his two guards, left the Dome, and those in the back audience who had been bowing the entire time now stood up. Sorn noticed with a small degree of bashful glee, that notably Toren was very distraught by this outcome.

Varian stood up calmly, looking at Freyja and speaking to her and Bjorn. He then beckoned Keilan and the other boy next to him to follow him behind the thrones. Cedric looked extremely annoyed by the result of the trial, and was seething to himself in his place, spinning his ice chain around his arm with frustration. Crystal ran towards him as the boy, Oden, who had saved him nodded to him knowingly before walking away. Toren and the boy with him walked towards Freyja as the platform of ice disappeared, causing him to fall onto the ground.

“Owww.”

“Good to see you’re doing well.”

As Sorn’s breath returned, he rolled from his side onto his back, the pain of his newfound scar sinking back and he ignored his nerves screaming at him to see Crystal standing over him with a wild smile.

Sorn: “Do I really look well?”

Crystal: “No, you look terrible. But that’s better than being dead!”

Sorn did his best attempt at a chuckle in response. He supposed he should be grateful that his head hadn’t been violently speared by an icey projectile from a senile man.

Bjorn: “Ahahaha! On the ground over such a flesh wound, we have a task ahead of yes, eh Serene?”

The loud councilman stood next to the girl who was standing alongside Crystal earlier. Him alongside Oden, were the three burly figures that had entered the Dome together. Sorn deduced that they were the Marauders. The girl smiled.

Serene: “We’ll beat him into shape yet.”