Namer Island,
unknown
unknown
September 15th 2295 A.G.M
Eighteen years after Hailey Incident
Walking through the tunnel, his sight peering through the darkness, Avrich Ferryn followed the horned being in front of him. He held tightly to the briefcase as he carefully strode through the brown stained water on the ground. He didn't want to stain his black business suit with the specks of dirt, and he was careful to avoid the leaking from the ceiling. Even with the darkness that surrounded them, as a Mana artist, Avrich was able to fortify his senses which allowed him to see in the dark, although in a muted black and white way, devoid of any color. The Horned being in front of him in a black robe with a crimson sash around his waist gracefully moved through the ground not caring for the dirt. He turned around, giving the suitcase a glance before looking at Avrich.
"Business must be getting pretty good for you guys," Gyan, the Asetian said with a light chuckle. Avrich couldn't help but grin. The conflict between the Mid east and the eastern continent was getting intense, a lot of simmering that could explode at any moment. Right now, the situation was still pretty good, even with the little scuffle here and there. After the intervention of the Blaze King in the Kazhan wasteland, that had led to the group of Aranians's-who had broken through the border between both continents- slaughter at the hands of the Kazhan kingdom forces, the nation of Aran had demanded recompense for the slaughter of their people at the hands of a King realm Being. While the nation of Kazhan had demanded that the nation of Aran own up to the actions of their people. The way Avrich saw things, it would only be a matter of time when war would erupt between both the Global union and the Mid east alliance. Which was good for his organization, Shadow Garden. They finally got to an opening in front of them, an opening that led to an open space. Avrich looked down below to see how far they were from the ground. The tunnel they had walked through was far up in the air, and below them was the group that Avrich was here to do business with,
"Come along now," Gyan said. He jumped down, letting gravity pull him down without a care in the world. Avrich sighed as he channeled a Mana technique that allowed him to float down. As Gyan got closer to the ground, the pull of gravity on him loosened up, making him become as light as a feather and he calmly landed without making a dent on the ground. Avrich landed alongside with him, deactivating his Mana technique.
"Welcome, Broker," A voice said. Avrich noticed his client, Kars Ma'ha-Ra, a two horned being with a black robe and a red sash around his waist, waiting by the center of the space. There was a large rock structure that acted as a table filled with holographic image of the island of Namer. The map was specifically focused on Academia city where Namer Academy for the Gifted was located.
"Kars, never thought I would be seeing you again," Avrich said as he approached the Asetian. There was a smirk on the Asetian's beautiful inhuman face. Asetians were one of the many races that existed in their world, and the most powerful, even if the Lumerian church would deny that. The Asetians claim to be the descendants of the gods that once walked the earth, and from the way they appeared and the power they possessed, one couldn't deny it. Of course there were families among the Great Manaborn that also claimed to have descended from the gods, but the truth was more prevalent with the Asetians. And this was due to their Immortality. The whole goal of cultivation was to gain power and eternal life. The latter one was something Asetians were born with due to the divinity that flowed through them.
"I heard a rumor that the Star Library had a break in months ago," Avrich said. "And an artifact had been stolen from it,"
"What about it," Kars said.
"You do know that Shadow gardens deal in stolen goods," Avrich said.
"I'm not here to sell. I'm here to buy," Kars replied. Avrich grinned already expecting that answer. He scoffed as he placed the briefcase on top of the table. As he did that, another Asetian came out of the shadows that surrounded this inner sanctum used by the Asetians. The newcomer glanced at Avrich and snorted turning back around. Avrich had noticed that the Asetian had two horns like Kars. And like Kars, his horn extended from the side of his head in a curve like manner. So a Noble Asetian. In Asetian society, possessing two horns was a sign of nobility, of how pure their bloodline was. Avrich opened the briefcase, a crimson light spilled out of it, the World energy around them shuddered at the presence of whatever item in the briefcase.
"What's that," Gyan said. He had felt the disturbance with the World energy as soon as the briefcase opened up. He felt his own energy stir, his core trying to rotate without his permission.
"A Hexgem," Kars said.
"Where in Menes name did you get a raw Hexgem," Gyan said. Hexgem were ores that possessed a tremendous amount of Mana. These ores when processed could absorb the ambient essence and convert it into Mana like they were cores themselves. It was for this reason why they were sought after. And this gem in the case was raw and unprocessed like most. Which was why the one in front of them had Spirit essence instead of Mana. It had yet to reach the stage where it could begin the process of conversion.
"Not from the North if that's what your thinking," Avrich said. The Northern continent was one of the few places in the world where one could mine Hexgem, one of the reason why the empire that exist there was a strong contender against the Global union. This was how important and valuable Hexgem was. More valuable than even Mana crystals or Mana stones. "Do you have the payment,"
Kars pulled a pouch from his pocket, taking out a storage ring, a Magitech that compressed space allowing for the creation of a minor dimension which was used for storing anything. Kars threw the ring to Avrich who used his Mental force to grab hold of the ring, levitating it towards himself. He used his internal sense to scan the content and was satisifed with the payment. He smiled, putting the ring away as he pushed the case towards Kars. Kars grabbed the case sensing the tremendous power that was in it. Now every tool he needed to accomplish his objective was complete. He only needed to utilize them in order to get what he wanted.
"It was good doing business with you, Prince Kars Ma'ha-Ra," Avrich said vanishing in a whisk of wind.
****
Security council chamber
Global Union Hunter Association
Lumerian Island
September 15th 2295 A.G.M
The security council was in disarray, each member yelling at each other due to the situation that was happening in the east. News had circulated about what had happened and now the world was on the cusp of war. Aguero the Blaze king, a titled king rank Hunter had intervened leading to the city of Kazak's forces to eliminate the militant forces from Aran that had invaded the Wasteland. Now the people of Kazhan Wasteland were demanding that the nation of Aran answer for the audacity to step into their territory. The nation of Aran on the other hand were demanding compensation for the deaths of their Sons, Daughter, Father and Mother. They said that the kingdom of Kazhan went to far in dealing with them. And now there was even talks that the Aran kingdom was talking with the other forces in the Mid-east. Tensions were increasing, and it was only a matter of time for War to erupt.
"The Khan Empire won't let these slide," A security council member said. "The people of Aran dare to step on our territory. It is an affront to our honor." This council member was obviously from the east, his interest in protecting his motherland obvious for all to see. The Security Council was made up of members from the thirteen nations that made up the Global Union, the regime that had ruled almost half the world since the beginning of the fourth Age. The Khan Empire of the Eastern continent was one of those nations.
"And risk unleashing a war upon us," Another council member said. "All because your pride was hurt."
"It is more than our pride," The Eastern council member replied.
"Going to war is not the answer," Another Council member said. "There hasn't been a war not since the third World war. And that was two thousand years ago. The World is at peace and as seeing as we are part of the Security council, it is our duty to maintain that peace, Isn't that right Secretary General." All the council Members turned to the large man in white suit who sat at the head of the council table. He had gray hair with a small bun, a large scar next to his brown eyes. He was the Secretary General, the one in charge of the administration of the Global Union and all the division under it. As the Secretary General, Antonio Tiedeman had the final say of the Security council, the division of the Global Union responsible for the peace and security of the world, As the rest of the council members turned to him, Secretary General Antonio cleared his throat.
"Yes, You're right of course." He said. "For Two thousand years, we have enjoyed peace, and I for one, would like this peace to continue. I do not want to go back to that era of senseless fighting and violence, of innocent blood being spilled. My Predecessors worked hard to earn this years of peace and I will not let it go to waste." His eyes wandered over all council members in the chamber, letting them feel how serious he was about his intentions. "Any minor conflict has the potential to spark the flames of war and we must do our very best to douse the flames before it becomes an Inferno. Like we did when the Hailey Incident happened eighteen years ago." On hearing about the Hailey Incident, the expressions of the Council members switched up. That event had the potential to cause the Fourth World war, an event unlike anything that had happened in the past two millennia. Luckily for them, the Star king, the Magic King and Patriarch of the Zangretus family had intervened and the fallout of the event hadn't been that bad. Of course, many lives had been lost during that day and the Star King had vanished but then billions of lives were also saved. The Star King's sacrifice had been worth it in the end.
"So what can we do about this," A council member said. "If we don't do something, the Mid east will likely respond forcing our hand. There is also the chance that the Khan Empire will withdraw from the union for feeling slighted." The others turned to the council member from the eastern continent. He nodded making them know that the Emperor was not against withdrawing if he felt his honor has been tramped on. Secretary General Antonio cleared his throat, understanding of the Eastern continent and their way of life. Even though the Global Union had political authority on an international level, in the end the nations under the Global union had rights over local and national issues. Which meant that if any of the countries under them decide they want to leave, then they can't stop them from doing so. That was the premise in which the organization known as the Global Union was formed.
"In that case, we must send an emissary to speak with the ruling body of Aran. Negotiate with them and find a peaceful solution to this problem." The Secretary General said. "I have to believe that if we come to them from a place of grace and cooperation, they might be open to negotiation. I have to believe that even the Demon Dragon goddess does not desire war." Everyone trembled at the mention of the monster that resided in the Mid-east continent. Of course they weren't that scared not when they had monsters of their own. But just because they had these powerful weapons, that didn't mean they could just release them out into the field. Just one action from one of them was enough to change the topography of a country.
"Yes, we should send an emissary," A Security council member agreed. And then the rest began nodding.
"Very well, then we shall send an ambassador to the Nation of Aran."