Chapter 128: Shadows and Laughter
The Convergence of Realms was officially underway.
Inside the Grand Hall of Sylvethien, the rulers of the world gathered in an assembly unlike any seen in decades. **Elves, Dragons, Beastkin, Vampires, Dwarves, and Merfolk**—all present, all powerful.
And at the heart of it, the King of Eldoria stood tall, his golden cloak draped lazily over one shoulder, eyes glinting with mischief.
For a moment, the room was tense. The weight of history and past conflicts loomed over the gathering.
Then—
Adrian Eldoria exhaled, tilting his head toward the High Elven Queen, Sylvaine Vaelora.
And smirked.
"Still breathing, Sylvaine?"
Silence.
The room stilled—a mix of disbelief, horror, and amusement flashing across the different rulers' faces.
Then—
Queen Sylvaine closed her eyes and sighed.
"You are insufferable."
The room erupted in laughter.
Even High Lord Veydrion, the Crimson Sovereign of the Dragons, chuckled deeply. "He hasn't changed a bit."
Sylvaine gave the king a dry look. "You should worry about yourself, Adrian. I hear old age catches up to humans quickly."
The Emperor of Eldoria placed a hand over his chest, feigning injury. "Sylvaine, you wound me. My heart can only take so much."
"That is a lie," Grand Duke Alistair Veyrin muttered.
Duke Ragnor Grimthorne scoffed. "Your Majesty, if your heart was that weak, you wouldn't still be alive after all the wars you've started."
Adrian grinned."Exactly. I age like fine wine."
Queen Sylvaine rolled her eyes but said nothing more, returning to her usual graceful demeanor.
Kael, watching this unfold, leaned slightly toward Cassian. "This is the Convergence?"
Cassian smirked. "This is how the strongest people in the world argue without starting a war."
Selene, standing beside them, sighed. "And here I thought today would be formal."
---
As the gathering settled into a more relaxed atmosphere, the Vanguard mingled with the different races.
Cassian, of course, was in his element.
He approached a group of Dark Elves with a charming smile, resting a hand over his chest. "I must say, your presence here is as striking as the moonlight over the Blackthorn Sea."
The Dark Elf noblewoman raised a brow. "And you are?"
"Cassian Duskbane," he introduced himself with a dramatic bow. "The most tolerable noble of Eldoria."
The Dark Elves chuckled, and one of their warriors leaned toward Cassian. "If you can fight as well as you speak, perhaps we will get along."
"Oh, my dear friend," Cassian grinned, "I can do both exceptionally well."
Nearby, Mira stood stiffly, observing the nobles around her. Unlike the others in the Vanguard, she lacked a family name—a reality that made her presence unusual among such high society.
She felt out of place.
Until—
"You're tense," Lucian noted, stepping beside her.
Mira blinked. "I'm fine."
Lucian, unimpressed, glanced at her clenched fists."You're gripping your sword like someone's about to attack you."
Mira exhaled, relaxing slightly. "I'm just… not used to this."
Lucian nodded. "They'll get used to you soon enough."
Mira smirked. "You mean they'll get used to me, or you'll make them get used to me?"
Lucian didn't answer, but the faint flicker of golden flames in his eyes spoke volumes.
Elsewhere, Darius and Evelyne were deep in conversation with a Beastkin warlord, comparing combat techniques.
Rael and Selene stood near the edges of the hall, watching everything unfold like quiet sentinels.
And Kael?
Kael was dealing with Ilyra.
---
Ilyra Xelthar, once a princess of a fallen empire, stood silently behind Kael, observing the gathering with an unreadable expression.
She was no longer adorned in royal armor or Xelthar's colors. Instead, she wore a simple yet elegant black-and-crimson dress, marking her as Kael's personal retainer.
But even here, she drew attention.
Several nobles whispered, glancing at her with curiosity or suspicion.
A former enemy. A princess of a destroyed kingdom. A warrior who had once fought against Eldoria.
And yet—she stood at Kael's side.
"How are you feeling?" Kael asked, not looking at her directly.
Ilyra tilted her head slightly. "Strange question."
"Not really," Kael replied. "
A long pause.
Then, Ilyra smirked slightly. "You're unusually talkative today, Master."
Kael sighed. "Don't call me that."
"But I must," Ilyra said, a teasing glint in her eyes. "After all, you are my master now."
Before Kael could reply, Cassian appeared at his side.
"Ah, Kael," Cassian grinned. "Your maid is flirting with you."
Kael groaned. "Cassian, I swear to—"
"Carry on," Cassian continued, winking at Ilyra. "I'm just here to watch the romance unfold."
Kael ignored him.
Ilyra, however, simply smirked and said nothing.
Across the hall, Rheon, Elira, and Magnus watched Kael's growing frustration with clear amusement.
Magnus chuckled. "You think she's messing with him on purpose?"
Elira nodded. "Absolutely."
Rheon grinned. "I like her already."
Kael, hearing that, groaned again.
---
The laughter and casual conversations continued for a while longer—until Queen Sylvaine rose from her seat.
Her aura shifted, and the atmosphere in the hall grew heavier.
"The reason we have gathered," she began, "is not just for diplomacy."
Her silver gaze swept across the room.
"It is because the demons are rising once more."
Silence.
Then—a murmur of unease.
Kael felt his fingers twitch at the mention of demons.
He had fought monsters. He had fought Xelthar.
But demons?
That was something entirely different.
Sylvaine continued, "For years, the demonic presence has remained distant, confined to the Shadow Abyss. But recent events suggest that their forces are moving once more."
A chill ran through the hall.
Lucian exhaled. "So the real threat begins now."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
The war with Xelthar was over.
But this?
This was just the beginning.