Private Council Chamber, Celesthall Tower — Gaia-Atlantis
9:00 PM
The night sky beyond the stained glass window appears dark, revealing faint stars that seem to witness a discussion that could alter the course of history; the soft whisper of the night wind carries the damp aroma of the forest rising outside Menara Celesthall—a place where mysticism and politics are not merely intertwined, but inextricably linked, shaping the destinies of those who dwell within its walls.
In the center of the room, a black stone table is surrounded by high chairs. On the table, a shimmering parchment is cloaked in a thin layer of moving magical glyphs, resembling the breath of a sleeping dragon—not merely a contract; it is the Pactum Aurum Vetustas, a concept of a magical alliance that has never before been attempted, with ramifications that could echo through the ages. Anyone who manages to delve into the depths of these glyphs will feel the vibrations of ancient power woven into each letter, linking the wizards with the latent forces of old.
Fitran Fate stood with his arms crossed, his robe adorned with Voidwright patterns gently fluttering in the breeze from the open window. His sharp gaze observed every line of Proto-Speech etched upon the enchanted parchment. He appeared to harbor great secrets, and his calm demeanor conveyed a suppressed power. Each time he shifted his gaze towards the scroll, a flash of understanding illuminated his face, a reminder that he was not just a sorcerer but the guardian of ancient tradition.
Beside him, Sheena Valtheris Elyndra sat silently. Her golden hair, reflecting the lantern's glow, made her seem like an emblem of the curse they were discussing. Her violet eyes no longer held doubt, yet a small storm brewed within them: the weight of the Elyndra legacy and an uncertain future. Beyond her own strength, she sensed the wave of tension enveloping the room, as if every soul present felt an imminent threat. She gently grasped the arm of her chair, biting her lip to suppress the noise threatening to escape her mind.
Kaeso Vallaricus stood on the opposite side of the table, adorned in the formal robe of Senator Gaia. His gentle voice broke the silence, resonating with a diplomatic quality honed through sharp political debates. He adjusted his tone to sound soothing while remaining charismatic. In the tense atmosphere, he tilted his head slightly, signaling that despite the weight of the situation, dialogue was essential for the stability of the envisioned alliance.
Outside the window, the shadows of Gaia-Atlantis's grand towers evoked both respect and despair. The power of the senators, bolstered by magical prowess and blood ties, often clashed with individual ambitions and the hopes of the people yearning to escape the ancient curse of war and betrayal. This room was not merely a place for discussion; it was the heart of the magical potential that could either fracture or strengthen the alliance forged between ancient powers and new aspirations. Anyone who touched this Pactum would alter not only their own fate but also the destiny of all Gaia-Atlantis.
"I am certain... this Pactum will mark the greatest alliance of the century."
"Not just between individuals, but among bloodlines, wealth, and new wills against ancient threats."
Fitran remained silent, flipping to the first page with palpable tension. The room around them was filled with the fragrant aroma of candles, mingling with the coldness of the sodium stone walls; the atmosphere was heavy, as if whispers of ancient curses echoed softly—filling the gaps between them.
The Glyph Proto-Speech read:
"Velas'thor Unith Val Aeternum."
"We vow to unite for the sake of eternal life."
"Unity..." murmured Fitran. "But at a significant cost."
First Clause:Strategic Alliance against Ancient Will
Fitran traced the words, feeling the weight on his chest. Each term in this agreement seemed to bear its own significance, binding their futures with the power of magic that spanned millennia.
"Acceptable." he said softly, albeit hesitantly.
Second Clause:Exploration and the Assembly's access to the Golden Curse
He paused, overwhelmed by the gravity of the information he had just read. A faint sweat began to form on his temples; something beyond mere text was pressing upon him.
"This is the issue." Fitran pointed to the shimmering golden paragraph. The light was anything but ordinary beauty—it resembled the tip of a magical finger connected directly to the essence of the curse itself.
"This clause grants the Assembly, especially its economic representatives, the right to investigate—even manipulate—the curse of Sheena."
Sheena clenched her fists, her facial expression revealing an inner struggle. Perhaps unbeknownst to her, the magical power in the room began to gather, as if responding to her deep emotions.
"The curse... is not a trading tool." she whispered. "It is my family's blood. A plague and a blessing all at once."
Kaeso raised his hand in a calming gesture, much like a diplomat trying to explain to a shaken queen. His eyes radiated tranquility, but beneath it lay unspoken tension—a gamble with this precarious political position.
"Lady Elyndra, through this research, we can actually control the curse; not just to free you from it, but to transform it into an economic power for Gaia-Atlantis. Imagine, it will no longer be a curse, but rather the foundation of new wealth," he said, trying to persuade.
Fitran stared at Kaeso, his Voidwright eyes flickering with a gentle violet light. The magical aura surrounding them felt thick, as if the space was filled with the energies of the past and the possibilities of the future, igniting tension between them.
"Or transforming the blood of Sheena and Elyndra into a commodity to be traded in the shadows."
The room fell silent, the sound of their heartbeat echoing in their ears. The cold stone walls absorbed the noise, and the dim light from the candles danced across their faces, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere enveloping this crucial discussion.
Third Point:Protection of Elyndra's Lineage
This point promised that Sheena's bloodline would be protected by the laws of the Assembly. However, the laws in Gaia-Atlantis were not an unbreakable guarantee but rather tools that could be politicized and turned into weapons against the very people they were meant to protect—Fitran noted this part carefully, yet beneath the clause lay nearly invisible Proto-Speech subtext, ancient script laden with layers of meaning and hidden messages that warned of potential betrayals.
"Custodia sub Condicionem."
"Protection under conditions that can change."
"Conditional protection." Fitran murmured, his soft voice trembling with concern. His expression betrayed a suppressed anger, mirroring the tension that enveloped them, like delicate wax threatened by a raging storm. "If the Assembly changes its mind, or another faction takes over, they could cancel this clause." He realized how fragile their power was, and just how easily Elyndra's lineage could be erased by ambition and betrayal.
Sheena bowed her head, her breaths heavy. Waves of fear coursed through her body, and with a gentle motion, she grasped the ends of her cloak, a small accessory made from a material that emitted protective light. With each breath, it seemed as though she created a layer of protective energy around her, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing on her emotions. Outside the window, the bustle of Gaia-Atlantis faintly echoed, where magic and politics intertwined, creating an unpredictable order.
"I have already lost control of my life once. I will not give it up again."
"If they touch this curse without my permission, they will know the fury of Elyndra's blood."
Fourth Point:Traitor's Sanction — Void Consumption Clause
Fitran nodded, picturing the dark fate that awaited those who violated the magical covenant; the transgressor would become formless, nameless, like dust carried away by the wind. "At least this part is fair; anyone who betrays will be erased from all magical agreements—whether from Elyndra, Gaia, or Atlantis."
He glanced at Kaeso. "Including you."
Kaeso smiled, yet tension still lurked behind his friendly facade. His hands gripped the sleeves of his robe, signaling deep uncertainty. "I did not make a pact to be broken, Lord Fate," he said firmly.
In his private room, adorned with mysterious and anti-gravity ornaments, Kaeso stood before a large silver-framed mirror. The atmosphere felt oppressive, and in the dim light, every corner of the room seemed to whisper secrets long buried. A man in a dark cloak, his secret advisor—Syth Malveren—emerged from the shadows, his dark aura nearly blending with the shimmering walls.
"What are the results, Senator?"
Kaeso let out a heavy sigh, his eyes fixed on the ground as if searching for answers among the cold tiles. "They are cautious, just as I suspected. But they did not outright refuse; rather, they...are considering."
Syth observed Kaeso intently and said, "If they sign, you will gain access to the curse of Elyndra; You could create the first magical golden foundation that is not born from mining, but from blood." Syth's voice was heavy and penetrating, as if dragging Kaeso into a sea of possibilities and risks—in his mind, Kaeso envisioned vengeance flowing through blood, power embedded in every drop taken from those who had strayed.
The competition between the nations of Gaia and Atlantis is a perilous game of chess that has been ongoing for centuries, where each move can ignite war or lead to unexpected agreements—every pawn and bishop playing a role in a conflict that transcends mere greed and ambition. Loyalty is nothing more than a shadow; it can shift with a single contract, and none of them can underestimate this meticulous political maneuvering, especially when it involves such potent and volatile magic.
Kaeso smiled faintly.
"With that wealth, I will not only dominate the Gaia-Atlantis market. I can finance the construction of a new Celestial Fleet... and finally cut off the influence of the Voidwright and all remnants of old power."
At that moment, Syth whispered, "And what if they refuse?" His face returned to alertness as he awaited an answer that would change everything.
Around them, the grand room filled with sparkling ornaments exuded a deep magical aura; magical objects from various eras were neatly displayed, creating an atmosphere brimming with ancestral energy—promising power to those who dared to seize it.
"With that wealth, I will not only dominate the Gaia-Atlantis market, but I will also finance the construction of the new Celestial Fleet; and finally, I will sever the influence of the Voidwright and all remnants of old power that threaten peace," he declared confidently.
As his explanation continued, Kaeso stepped closer to the table cluttered with maps and documents, demonstrating both the precision of his vision and the magnitude of his ambition. "And if they refuse?" Syth whispered, his voice soft enough to make Kaeso turn with a sharp expression, sensing the tension in the air that was starting to envelop them.
"Then we prepare a second option," Kaeso said, gazing at his reflection in the tall, gilded mirror that reflected the flickering light of the burning candles; his smile briefly faded as he contemplated the consequences of the anger that could arise.
"I will not let the chance to seize this ancient will slip away."
Beyond the realms of politics and magic, the ancient will that triggered the Golden Curse was beginning to stir once more, its awakening echoing the unrest that permeated the air. Magic in Gaia-Atlantis was not merely a tool; it served as the lifeblood of society, with currents of power frequently controlled by an elite class that often remained detached from the common people's struggles and aspirations. Perhaps a third party, lurking in the shadows, was eyeing the Pactum Aurum Vetustas for darker purposes, ready to capitalize on the chaos that would inevitably unfold.
Meanwhile, Fitran and Sheena still had choices to make. But their time was running short. They navigated through the pulsating city, sensing the rumble of tension; the whispers of nobles behind curtains discussing the next steps in a secretive politics that would shape everyone's fate.
The room where they gathered seemed quiet, but outside, a silent power struggle was unfolding. Among the shadows, ancient symbols and incantations etched on the walls signified a legacy of magic that had existed since time immemorial, ready to be harnessed by the brave. This magic and curse, intricately woven into a long history, shaped the identity of Gaia-Atlantis, awaiting a resurgence.