The room was dead silent.
Tension so thick my sword could cut through it.
I was seated at a round table containing twelve seats.
On each sat the heads of the twelve legions of our kingdom.
One seat was empty.
My eyes watered—tears welling as I read the name on the plaque.
Legion Seven.
That was my father's seat.
Memories of all those I had lost came pouring back.
My clustered mind didn't even register the moment the king walked in.
"Kid, look up," Sango said.
I glanced upward—my gaze meeting the other heads who now stared at me.
They were all on their feet in reverence of the king.
I sluggishly stood.
I once had respect for the king.
But now, living here…
That respect was but a candle in the storm.
The king's face scrunched in disgust.
He was not pleased by my reluctance.
Behind him, a tall, frail man stood—
His dressing oddly casual for a meeting of this weight.
In his hand, he held a map.
He noticed my stare and gave a little nod.
"Sit," the king commanded.
We all followed.
"This gathering is of quick notice," Amarion, leader of the Fifth Legion, spoke.
"Is there a reason for this?"
The king's displeasure was not hidden at the question.
Nor were the others'.
"If you are summoned, Amarion," the frail man said,
"then you know it is serious."
His voice—frail.
Yet commanding.
Amarion scoffed but said no more.
"I have gathered you all here today," the king began.
"First, to introduce a new member of the War Council."
He gestured to me.
"That young man seated there is the only son of the late Legion Seven Commander, Gladus Valor."
His tone carried pain.
Regret.
The others bowed their heads in silence.
The room dimmed.
"He is also our kingdom's first Awakened being."
The words sent a shockwave across the table.
Eyes widened.
Some with joy.
Others in disbelief.
"Him?"
Amarion scoffed.
"A child? Awakened?"
"They doubt you again," Sango's voice boomed in my head.
"Why don't you show them?"
The air grew still.
My heart beat to the drums of war.
Veins pulsed with energy.
And every fiber of my body joined the dance.
Lightning cracked through me.
A sight to behold.
I shifted my gaze to Amarion—
Who now kept silent.
"Is this enough proof for you?" I said.
He turned away.
No answer.
"That is enough, Mason," the king said.
I scoffed slightly—then sat.
The rhythm died slowly.
"As you can all see," the king continued,
"He has Awakened."
He paused—ensuring he had their attention.
"I believe this is a signal. A sign to fight back."
The council erupted.
Arguments broke forth.
"Silence," the frail man commanded.
And just like that—
Silence.
Whoever he was, they respected him more than the king himself .
"The king is right," he spoke.
"For far too long, we have been on the defensive."
"In fear of the Awakened of other kingdoms.
We have let the Heart Kingdom raid, destroy, plunder…
And perish our people."
"We have lost good men to them.
But with the power he possesses—
We could turn the tides.
Take charge of the battle."
"You believe he can defeat the Four Emperors?"
Galion, leader of the Heralds, interrupted.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"He defeated you," the man snapped.
"You, who fell to the Barbarians' three Awakened."
Galion dropped his head in defeat.
The revelation sent murmurs through the table.
"Yes," the man said.
"And he did it without using his powers."
"He may be a kid—
But he is a warrior."
"That's what I see first.
That's what the king sees first.
That's why we believe he can turn the tides of this war."
The room fell silent again.
Every commander, lost in thought.
Even me.
The kingdom was about to put its fate in my hands.
But all I cared about…
Was finding Freya.
And killing Baron Faux.
Was I right for this task?
"You are right for it," Sango replied.
"You have had one goal since your Awakening—
And that goal has not changed."
"This task you are being given…
It's just a step.
A means for you to finally act."
His words ignited something in me.
I raised my head.
My chest steady and high.
The council members all seemed to reach a conclusion.
"We will cast a vote now," the king said.
"All in favor, raise your hands."
My eyes widened.
Unanimous.
Even Amarion raised his hand.
A smile tugged at the king's lips.
"Very well then," he said.
"I'm glad we all agree."
"Next on the agenda—battle plans."
He gestured for the frail man to take over.
For over two hours, we discussed.
Where we'd move.
Where we'd rest.
What legions would do what.
No more holding back.
No more retreating.
After the meeting, every legion commander came to me.
Some spoke of my father.
Others welcomed me.
"Live up to our expectations," Amarion said before walking away.
There was hostility in his tone—
But I paid it no mind.
I turned toward the corridor.
I needed rest.
"Mason."
The frail man called.
"Come over here."
He gestured.
I approached slowly—
Cautious of a man even the commanders obeyed.
As I got closer—
The air thickened.
Bloodlust.
My instincts screamed.
Run. Run!
He stretched out his hand for a shake—
But I declined.
He smiled softly.
Deceptively.
"You feel it?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Good.
That means you're truly a warrior."
He packed up his map and walked away.
Not another word.
I stood frozen.
That wasn't just a handshake.
That was a test.
And it seemed like I passed.
The day carried on quietly.
I spent it at the training grounds.
Honing my skills.
I had a new task.
I couldn't afford to be weak.
Every punch I threw carried it's conviction. Every kick it's purpose.
"Help me."
My punches grew stronger.
Lightning danced with every strike.
Freya's voice echoed through my mind.
"Hold on just a little longer," I said.
"I'm coming."