Sylas swirled the drink in his cup, watching the liquid ripple before setting it down. His gaze flickered between the group, observing their reactions.
"You lot are from Phoenix Cry, aren't you?" He tilted his head slightly. "With some of you belonging to two of the strongest clans in that region."
His words made a few members of the group stiffen slightly, but no one denied it. The Ancient White Tiger Clan and the Azure Dragon Clan—two behemoths that had long stood independent, refusing to submit to Phoenix Cry's rule.
Sylas smirked. "You know, there are those who speculate that if Phoenix Cry ever decided to wage war to forcefully bring your clans under its rule, the war would consume all three of you."
The air at the table grew heavier.
Xue Mor's fingers tapped lightly against the wooden surface. "We're well aware of the political games surrounding our clans."
Sylas nodded. "Yet, despite that looming possibility, you three powers shocked the world with your announcement—declaring that you won't be victims in the coming battle for supremacy."
At this, Shinryu and Raikai exchanged a glance. They didn't concern themselves too much with politics, but they knew well enough what Sylas was getting at.
"That alone was enough to shake the world," Sylas continued. "But there was one more piece of news that made an even greater impact."
He leaned forward slightly.
"The Death Knights."
Everyone's eyes were on him now, fully invested in what he had to say.
"The Death Knights—this world's oldest standing power—have always been selective. They only train elites from different factions separately, never allowing them to mix."
"Yet this time, they're changing the rules."
Sylas' voice lowered, his tone unreadable. "They plan to open the training grounds to all powers… but only to those strong enough to make it."
The words settled over the group like a thick fog.
Xue Mor's brows furrowed. "That is strange."
Torra Yun grunted, his arms crossed. "They've never done that before."
Raikai's gaze sharpened. "It means they know something we don't."
Sylas nodded, his expression serious.
"It's clear that the Death Knights understand this calamity will be different from any that have come before." He leaned back, his arms crossed. "And if they're preparing for something big, shouldn't we?"
The tavern was filled with the distant hum of conversations and the occasional clatter of dishes, but at their table, there was only silence as everyone processed his words.
Then, Sylas smirked.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't intend to be left behind." His green eyes gleamed. "If the battle for supremacy is inevitable, I'd rather be standing at the top when it's all over. And for that, I need strong allies."
His gaze swept over the group.
"What about you?"
---
The Death Knights' True Intentions (Continued)
Sylas' words hung in the air, settling over the group like an unspoken challenge. The Death Knights—one of the most ancient and elusive forces—were shifting their traditions. And if what he said was true, then the trials ahead would be far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated.
Shinryu rested an elbow on the table, fingers idly tracing the rim of his cup. His silver eyes met Sylas' gaze with quiet intensity.
"You talk about strong allies," he said. "But what about your own? Where does the Emerald Sovereignty stand in all this?"
Sylas chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Straight to the point, huh?" He took another sip of his drink before setting it down with a soft clink. "The Emerald Sovereignty, as you probably know, is a bit different from your clans. We don't have a rigid hierarchy—our strength is in unity, in adaptability."
Yan Feiyan arched an eyebrow. "That sounds like a poetic way of saying you have no clear leadership."
Sylas smirked. "You're not wrong. But that doesn't mean we lack power. In fact, we have some of the strongest individuals in the younger generation—warriors, druids, assassins, and beast tamers. And unlike the sects and clans who spend as much time fighting each other as they do their enemies, we know how to work together."
Xue Mor tapped her fingers against the table, her expression unreadable. "That still doesn't answer the question. If the Death Knights' training is opening up to all major powers, what role will your people play? Are they competing, or do they have other intentions?"
Sylas exhaled softly, his playful demeanor giving way to something more thoughtful.
"The Emerald Sovereignty isn't like the Obsidian Empire or Phoenix Cry. We don't seek control over others. Our goal is survival—thriving in a world that constantly shifts. But even we recognize that the Great Calamity will be worse this time. So yes, many of our strongest will be there." His green eyes gleamed.
"But unlike others, we aren't just going there to fight. We're going to learn, to evolve. And maybe… to ensure that when the dust settles, we aren't just survivors—we're the ones shaping the future."
Torra Yun scoffed. "Big words. But words don't win wars."
Sylas grinned. "You're right. Actions do. And that's exactly why I wanted to meet you all. Because whether you realize it or not, your group is at the center of this coming storm."
A tense silence followed his words.
Xue Mor exchanged a glance with her brothers. Shinryu and Raikai remained quiet, contemplating.
Finally, Raikai exhaled through his nose, his fingers tapping against the table. "So what are you proposing, exactly? You're not just here to chat. You wouldn't have covered our meal if you didn't want something in return."
Sylas chuckled. "Sharp as expected." He leaned forward, his voice lowering.
"I want to see where you stand. And maybe—just maybe—see if there's a way for us to work together when the time comes."
Shinryu's silver eyes narrowed slightly. "And if we refuse?"
Sylas simply smiled.
"Then we go our separate ways. No hard feelings. But I'd be willing to bet that before this journey is over, we'll cross paths again—whether as allies or rivals."
The group sat in contemplation, each member weighing his words carefully.
Then, Meilin Zhen smirked. "Well, at the very least, you gave us a good meal. That's worth something."
The tension broke slightly as a few chuckles rippled through the group.
But beneath the casual words, the weight of the coming trials remained ever-present.