“Father, I will always love you and our family, and I will always cherish the time I spend here. But my heart… my heart belongs with Master Kent. I want to stay with him, he never treated me as a servant.” Kavi said emotionally with tears in her eyes.
Zora nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes, but also pride. “Then it is decided. Go with your master and know that you will always have a place here with us, whenever you wish to return.”
Kavi embraced her father tightly, whispering words of love and gratitude.
The setting sun bathed the volcanic mountains in a warm, golden hue as it painted the emotional scene between father and daughter.
Kent stood face-to-face with Zora, the formidable leader of the Fire Kirin race. “Mr. Zora, I give you my word. I won’t treat Kavi as a servant or an underling. She will be my responsibility, and I’ll ensure that she lives a good life in the future. You have my oath on that.” Kent spoke assuringly.
Zora, a towering figure with eyes that burned like embers, studied Kent for a long moment. His gaze, once filled with suspicion, softened as he felt the sincerity in Kent’s words. Slowly, Zora extended his hand, placing it firmly in Kent’s.
“Human, you are the most righteous person I have ever encountered in my life. Because of you, my Fire Kirin race survived today. Your actions have shown me that there is honor even among those who walk a different path. To show my gratitude, I promise you this: if you ever need help in a war, my race will stand by your side.
The Fire Kirins will be in your service, whenever you call.” Zora spoke sincerely in an elderly tone.
Kent nodded, feeling the weight of Zora’s words settle within him. He could see the sincerity in Zora’s eyes, the unspoken bond of trust that had formed between them. “Thank you, Zora. I won’t forget this.” Kent replied with a long stare.
As their hands parted, Kavi’s mother, a graceful and regal figure with flames flickering in her hair, stepped forward. Her eyes, filled with a mother’s love and concern. “Human, before you leave, I have a request. Please, stay with us for a few more days. I want to spend time with my daughter before she leaves with you.
I know it’s selfish, but… it’s hard for a mother to say goodbye.” She requested in a humble tone.
Kent’s heart softened at her plea. He could see the deep love she had for Kavi, and the pain in her eyes tugged at something deep within him. But his days also numbered on the blue planet. With a heavy sigh, he nodded. “Of course. I’ll stay for one more day.”
Kavi’s mother breathed a sigh of relief, tears welling up in her eyes as she reached out to take Kent’s hand. “Thank you, Human.”
Kavi’s brother, Zambu, stepped forward as well. Despite his intimidating appearance, his eyes were filled with gratitude. “Thank you, young master Kent,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “You’ve done more for our family than we could ever repay. I owe you a debt of honor.”
Kent nodded, acknowledging their thanks with humility.
–
Divine Deity Sect…
Far away in the distant eastern island, surrounded by the ominous waters of the Dead Sea…
The Central Hall…
The hall, an enormous structure capable of hosting a hundred thousand people at once, was filled to the brim with a tense and expectant crowd. The air was thick with anticipation, and despite the sheer number of people, the silence was as heavy as a tomb.
At the head of the gathering, seated on a majestic throne carved from black obsidian, was Madam Clark. Her presence was commanding, her posture regal as she surveyed the crowd with an air of absolute authority. Her eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the room, missing nothing.
Beside her stood a towering figure, a man of nine feet with a study, bulky build. His expression was stoic, his eyes hard as stone, and in his hands, he held a massive six-foot sword, its blade gleaming menacingly in the dim light. He stood like a sentinel, a silent guardian by Madam Clark’s side.
The room was filled with the most powerful and influential figures from across the nine realms, from the leaders of the biggest families to the heads of third-grade sects. Every seat was occupied, and yet, despite the sheer number of people present, the hall was eerily silent.
In the front row, the Seven Witches sat with an air of quiet power. Among them was Mohini, the witch who had been sent to protect Kent previously. Her gaze was fixed on Madam Clark, her eyes narrowed with a seriousness that betrayed her deep concern. She, like the others, knew that this gathering was not one to be taken lightly.
Madam Clark’s voice cut through the silence like a knife, cold and sharp. “I have called this meeting for a reason that concerns us all. The events at the War God Temple’s Blessed Land have made it clear that we are entering a new era—one that will require strength, unity, and unwavering loyalty.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The crowd listened in rapt attention, knowing that whatever Madam Clark had to say would have far-reaching consequences.
“We are on the brink of war,” Madam Clark continued, her voice growing stronger, more resolute.
“But greatness comes at a price. The alliances we forge today will determine our future. The enemies we make today will haunt us tomorrow. That is why I have gathered you all here—to ensure that we move forward as one, with a single purpose, a single goal.”
As she spoke, the atmosphere in the hall grew more charged, the weight of her words sinking in. Mohini leaned forward slightly, her eyes never leaving Madam Clark.
Madam Clark’s eyes flicked toward the underlings of Sworn Wizards group, who sat among the Seven Witches. “And to those who have served us faithfully, know that your loyalty will be rewarded. But to those who hesitate, to those who doubt… know that hesitation and doubt have no place in this new era. You are either with us, or you are against us.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd, but it was quickly silenced by the heavy, oppressive atmosphere. The stakes were clear, and no one dared to question Madam Clark’s authority. Experience tales with empire
The towering man beside Madam Clark, his grip tightening on his massive sword, took a step forward, his presence alone enough to silence any remaining whispers. His voice, deep and commanding, echoed through the hall. “The thing we are waiting for all these years is approaching. The War is Coming…!”
The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of their words pressing down on everyone in the hall. Madam Clark allowed the tension to linger for a moment longer before she rose from her throne, her gaze sweeping over the gathered leaders.
“Enough with the discussions,” Madam Clark’s voice rang out, crisp and commanding, slicing through the lingering unease.
“The war will happen once my son returns from the Spirit Realm. It will likely take one year, no more. In a few days, the 9 realms Sworn Wizards’ meeting will be convened, and the Nine Realms must begin their preparations. If anyone has concerns, state them now.”
For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of rustling robes and the shifting of uneasy bodies.
Then, with a deliberate and forceful movement, the strong, bulky man who led her Sworn Members rose from his seat.
“Madam, we all share a common doubt. Your son is the key to this Nine Realms war as he is the legacy bearer of War God. But you are sending him to the Seventh Realm. What if—what if he joins our enemy’s faction?” He asked loudly, addressing the concern of many.
The eyes of every person in the room were now on Madam Clark, waiting with bated breath for her response.
Madam Clark’s gaze didn’t waver, but her chest rose and fell slightly faster as she breathed deeply, collecting her thoughts. She knew this question would come, but the intensity of the moment added a weight to her words.
“If my son joins the enemy faction, that is his decision to make. I will not force him to fight on our side.” Her words were sharp, but there was an undercurrent of something deeper—resolve, but also perhaps resignation.
“You all took an oath for the Sworn Wizards with a cause. Not for me, not for my son, not for any single person. It’s the cause that binds us, not loyalty to an individual. This war will not stop for me, for my son, or for any single person. The cause will carry on, with or without us.”
There was a murmur of agreement, but it was tinged with unease. The elder witch, a figure of authority among the Seven Witches, rose from her seat, her voice trembling slightly as she attempted to speak again. “But, Madam—”
Before she could finish, the sound of a heavy sword being slammed onto the ground silenced the hall. Anjan, the towering sentinel by Madam Clark’s side, had stepped forward. His grim expression left no room for argument, his gaze daring anyone to challenge his actions.
The elder witch faltered, her words dying in her throat as she slowly sat back down. The hall was silent once more, but the tension had shifted, now charged with the silent acknowledgment of the power Madam Clark and her guardians wielded.
Just when it seemed the conversation was over, a figure at the far end of the hall stood up. An old-woman, her face lined with age but her eyes sharp and filled with determination, addressed Madam Clark. “Madam, the resources—”