The Grim Loop Of Destiny-Chapter 20: The Gathering of Powers.

The sky blazed bright above the pavilion of the royal court. Footsteps echoed through the marble halls slow, measured, heavy. Power radiated from their every step, a silent declaration of authority.

The guards stationed along the entrance lowered their heads just slightly, not out of respect, but fear. The air grew thick with the scent of myrrh and blood fragrance steeped in corruption and deception.

An ordinary man would have fallen to his knees under the sheer weight of their presence.

One by one, they entered the royal court. The massive doors groaned shut behind them with a finality that felt like the closing of a tomb. Outside, the guards stood motionless—silent and still. More than a royal court, it felt like an abandoned graveyard.

The scene shifted.

Atop the last mountain before the end of the Eternal Forest of Darkness, Veythor stood. The wind howled around him, the scent of blood still fresh in the air. His once-white robe clung to his body in tattered, crimson-streaked ruins—stained with his blood and the blood of those who had dared to stand against him.

He swayed slightly but did not fall. His breathing was ragged, his vision blurred, but his grip on the black sword never wavered.

The forest behind him seemed alive watching. Waiting.

Veythor's lips curled into a smirk, but there was no joy in it. Only weariness and a madness that danced just beneath the surface. He coughed, a harsh, guttural sound, and more blood spilled from his lips. Yet still, his crimson eyes burned.

He spoke, his voice rough and broken and yet triumphant.

"Hahaha... Finally... Finally... I've escaped this wretched, death-bringing forest."

The scene shifted again.

The royal court's vast chamber was a temple of opulence and dread. Gilded pillars stretched toward the heavens, and intricate murals depicted the bloodstained history of Narzan's conquests. The light filtering through the stained glass cast hues of crimson and gold across the polished marble floor, as if the court itself was soaked in spilled blood.

They gathered like predators the leaders of Narzan's eight great noble families. Each of them radiated a distinct presence, a power cultivated through generations of ruthlessness. Their words slithered through the air, sharpened with venom and barely concealed malice.

1. Sugen Family

Leader: Sugen Riku

Age: 29

Appearance: Lean and sharp-featured, with pale skin and long black hair always tied back. His cold gray eyes seemed to pierce through anyone he looked at. Wears elegant, high-collared black robes embroidered with silver.

2. Kaelis Family

Leader: Orun Kaelis

Age: 54

Appearance: Broad and imposing, with graying brown hair and a scar running from his temple to his chin. His amber eyes glow with perpetual disdain. Dresses in crimson armor even within the court, always ready for conflict.

3. Velmoor Family

Leader: Elara Velmoor

Age: 38

Appearance: Tall and statuesque, with long, flowing platinum hair and ice blue eyes. Always dressed in flowing, dark violet gowns lined with fur and jewels. Her beauty is only rivaled by her ruthlessness.

4. Dareth Family

Leader: Kael Dareth

Age: 47

Appearance: Gaunt and severe, with hollow cheeks and dark circles under his red-rimmed eyes. His long black-and-gray hair is always slicked back. Wears simple, stark robes a contrast to his family's wealth.

5. Zaurak Family

Leader: Vion Zaurak

Age: 61

Appearance: Short and stocky, with a well-groomed silver beard and piercing green eyes. Despite his age, his frame is still muscular, and his presence feels like a storm waiting to break.

6. Myralis Family

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Leader: Seres Myralis

Age: 33

Appearance: Slender and pale, with dark red hair that cascades down her back and violet eyes that never seem to blink. Her voice is soft, almost gentle but her words always sting like poison.

7. Grevarn Family

Leader: Aldren Grevarn

Age: 50

Appearance: Towering and broad-shouldered, his body scarred from countless battles. Bald, with a thick salt and pepper beard and one eye covered by a black eyepatch. His remaining eye is dark brown and filled with rage.

8. Othrael Family

Leader: Edrik Othrael

Age: 42

Appearance: Tall and wiry, with long, silver streaked black hair and golden eyes that shimmer with cunning. His sharp features make him look like a predator and his constant smirk only adds to the menace.

The leaders stood in silence, the weight of their rivalry palpable in the air. The tension was thick enough to strangle anyone foolish enough to speak out of turn.

The leader of the Sugen Family, Sugen Riku, stood alone and detached from everyone in this room. He stood there silently, his eyes closed.

And then, the silence was shattered by the voice of the old Vion Zaurak, the leader of the Zaurak family. His voice was slow, deliberate, and pointed.

So I think We all know why the Emperor gathered us here, and we all know the rumors swirling throughout the Empire."

The others turned their gaze toward Zaurak, and then they shifted toward Sugen Riku. He opened his eyes, his cold gaze cutting through the air like a knife.

"Mr. Zaurak," Riku spoke slowly, his tone dripping with venom, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Zaurak chuckled, a low, sinister sound that seemed to vibrate through the room.

"Hahaha... Mr. Sugen, there's no need to hide anything. Although we are all enemies and our rivalries will never cease,but I think we can all agree on one thing nearly all of us despise the Commoner Supreme Commander. And it seems that he's been missing for at least seven days."

The others exchanged knowing glances, their eyes narrowing.

Zaurak continued, his words sharp as a blade. "Let's get straight to the point. There's a rumor going around... that this time, Mr. Sugen sent assassins to deal with him. And it seems they succeeded although The body hasn't been found yet..." but I—

The leader of the Othrael family, Edrik Othrael, spoke abruptly, cutting Zaurak off.

Oh-ho So, can we all assume that Veythor is dead?"

All eyes turned to Sugen Riku. His expression remained unchanged, his cold gray eyes narrowing slightly as he considered his response.

Riku finally spoke, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"Why the hell should I explain myself to any of you?

I see no reason to do so, but for today, as we are all united in our hatred for that wretched commoner, I'll share some information with you all."

He paused, allowing the tension to rise like a slow tide.

"First, yes. As reported by my men, Veythor was indeed attacked by my assassins, and he was gravely injured. However, in the process, all my assassins were killed." He killed them all and went missing although I don't believe he is alive as he was almost stabbed in his heart but I can guarantee you all that even if he comes back alive I the leader of Sugen family Sugen Riku Swear on the name of Sugen family I'll crush him personally.

A low murmur rippled through the room, but before anyone could speak, the massive doors of the court groaned open, echoing through the chamber with a sound like the cracking of bones.

The guards, who had been standing motionless, suddenly shouted in unison.

"Attention,! Presenting the 32nd Emperor of Narzan... Avantis Astaline!"

The room fell into a heavy silence. The nobles stood motionless, their eyes fixed on the doors. Through the heavy darkness, a figure stepped forward tall, regal, and dripping with the weight of power.

But as the figure entered, a cold chill swept through the air, and in that brief moment, the Emperor's eyes locked with Riku's, his gaze more chilling than the frostbite of winter.

Was this the man who held the fate of Narzan in his hands?

The answer, hidden behind a veil of secrets, lingered in the air, suffocating.

The Emperor smiled, his lips curling into a dangerous, enigmatic grin.