As the group's carriages approached the Heartless Palace, they were greeted by a sight both familiar and awe-inspiring. The massive structure loomed over the city, unchanged from the time they first built it. Spanning an impressive 376,000 square meters with a height of 180 meters, it dominated the skyline, a testament to the power and ambition of the Heartless Guild.
The palace, a masterpiece of engineering and magic, was the tallest building in the entire city, its imposing spires and fortified walls standing as a symbol of their might. Constructed in just one in-game year, the project had been an enormous undertaking, made possible by the combined skills, creativity, and magical prowess of thousands of players.
Its stone walls gleamed with a polished sheen, reinforced by layers of magical enchantments that had withstood countless sieges and battles. Intricate carvings and runes covered every column and archway, telling the story of their rise to power, a silent reminder of the blood and sacrifice that had forged this nation.
As their carriages drew closer to the palace gates, the past high elders felt a wave of nostalgia wash over them, memories of past glories and hard-won victories flickering through their minds.
The carriages rolled to a stop at the luxurious entrance gate of the Heartless Palace, their polished wheels clinking against the smooth, enchanted stones of the palace grounds.
To their surprise, a large crowd had gathered outside the gates. Word had already spread that the legendary six high elders had returned, and the residents of the capital had come to catch a glimpse of their old heroes.
The faces of the crowd were bright with excitement and admiration, a mix of awe and reverence clear in their eyes. Many of the NPCs had lived their entire lives under the protection and guidance of the Heartless Guild, their loyalty and respect for the high elders etched into their hearts.
Some of the older residents, veterans of past wars and retired soldiers, even bowed deeply as the high elders disembarked from their carriages, their voices rising in chants of welcome. Mothers lifted their children to get a better view, and merchants clapped their hands in excitement, their cheers filling the air with a festive atmosphere.
Crimson Aegis paused at the gate, his sharp eyes sweeping over the crowd. He felt a warmth in his chest, a small but genuine sense of pride at the nation they had built, one that still remembered and honored its founders.
Inside the towering palace gates, a long line of government officials awaited their arrival. Each one wore finely tailored uniforms adorned with medals and insignias, their postures straight and expressions respectful as the six high elders approached.
Behind them, soldiers in polished armor stood in formation, their weapons at the ready, maintaining a watchful eye on the growing crowd outside the gates. The clinking of their armor and the steady rhythm of their disciplined breathing created a quiet, tense backdrop to the welcoming scene.
The officials, many of whom had studied the history and tactics of the Heartless Guild, straightened even further as the high elders passed by, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and nervousness at the sight of their legendary predecessors.
The six high elders exchanged excited whispers as they walked through the grand palace gates, their eyes moving over the towering marble columns and intricate carvings that lined the massive entryway. The palace's grandeur had not faded in the fifty years they had been gone, and its beauty still commanded the same awe as when they first built it.
"Look at this place," Sir Pendragon said with a nostalgic grin, his eyes gleaming as he admired the familiar stonework and glowing crystal chandeliers. "It's just as we left it."
Irina nodded, her muscular arms crossed over her chest. "They've maintained it well. This craftsmanship, it's a testament to the foundations we laid."
Amid the gathered crowd, they noticed familiar faces – former members of the Heartless Guild. Some wore their old guild insignias with pride, while others simply looked on with wide eyes, their expressions a mix of disbelief and joy.
Xiao Li Jing waved enthusiastically at a few of them, her blonde hair catching the sunlight as she called out, "We're back, everyone!"
The past members responded with cheers and salutes, their loyalty and respect for their former leaders shining clearly in their eyes.
As they walked through the palace gates, the six high elders recognized familiar faces among the gathered crowd. Many of the past guild members had come to see them, their eyes filled with respect and nostalgia.
Xiao Li Jing, ever the energetic one, cupped her hands around her mouth and called out, "Hey! All of you! Be ready! We'll issue a gathering order after our meeting at the palace!"
Her voice echoed through the courtyard, drawing cheers and waves from the former guild members. Some raised their fists in excitement, while others simply smiled, clearly eager to reunite with their old leaders.
As the six high elders stepped past the palace gates, they were immediately greeted by two figures in ornate ceremonial armor, clearly high-ranking officials. One was a stout, barrel-chested dwarf with a thick, braided beard of iron-gray, his piercing eyes filled with both strength and warmth. The other was a tall, sharply dressed human with long, flowing silver hair and an aura of refined nobility.
The dwarf stepped forward first, his boots striking the polished stone with a resonant thud. He gave a deep, respectful nod. "Welcome back, my lords and lady. I am Gudrik Thunderhammer, of the Thunderhammer Clan." He thumped his fist against his broad chest in a dwarven salute. "I owe my life and my clan's honor to you, Sir Crimson Aegis. You saved us from the atrocities of the western empires long ago. It is an honor to stand before you once more."
Crimson gave a nod, a faint, appreciative smile crossing his face as he remembered the fierce battles he had fought alongside the Thunderhammer clan.
The second figure, the tall, silver-haired man, stepped forward with a graceful, almost regal bow. "And I am Christopher Pendragon, grandnephew of Sir Pendragon. My grandfather, Lance Pendragon, was one of the leaders of the Heartless IV, entrusted with maintaining order during those early, chaotic days. Like many of the original leaders, he too vanished long ago."
Sir Pendragon's eyes widened slightly, a rare flicker of emotion crossing his usually composed face. "So, my brother's line still stands," he muttered, a hint of pride in his voice.
Christopher straightened, his sharp eyes meeting Sir Pendragon's. "Yes, my lord. Our family has never forgotten the legacy you forged."
The six high elders exchanged glances, each feeling the weight of the past and the significance of the present. They had returned to a world that still remembered them, their deeds echoing through generations.
Xiao Li Jing grinned mischievously and leaned toward Sir Pendragon. "Looks like you're a granduncle now," she teased, her golden eyes sparkling. "And here you are, still without any children of your own."
Sir Pendragon let out a hearty laugh, crossing his arms over his chest. "Hah! I may be a granduncle, but at least I don't have to worry about chasing little ones around," he replied with a smirk. "Besides, I'm still as dashing as ever, I still have time."
Gudrik's eyes brightened, his thick beard parting with a wide grin as he firmly clasped Crimson's hand. "Aye, sir! The Thunderhammer clan still stands strong, thanks to yer guidance in those bloody days," he rumbled, his voice deep and full of pride. "We've grown even stronger, forging the finest weapons and armor in the realm. And we still sing the battle songs ye taught us, sir!"
When the group heard Gudrik mention the battle songs, their eyes lit up with curiosity. Xiao Li Jing, always the quickest to tease, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Battle songs? You taught dwarves to sing, Crimson? This I have to hear."
Irina crossed her muscular arms, smirking as she added, "Did you write them yourself? I can't imagine you belting out a tune."
Sir Pendragon chuckled, leaning closer. "I bet it's all about smashing enemy lines and painting the battlefield red."
SalahAdDīn chuckled, leaning back with a confident smirk. "Oh? Songs of glory and bloodshed, taught by the most feared warrior of our time?" He crossed his arms, the golden embroidery on his princely robes catching the sunlight. "Now this, I must hear."
Moonlight Fury, who had been silently observing, finally cracked a rare smile. "Looks like even the great Crimson Aegis can't escape a little friendly torment."
Crimson shot him a sharp look, his embarrassment deepening. "You too?" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, enough with the teasing. We have more important matters to discuss."
The group shared a brief moment of laughter, their voices echoing against the towering stone walls of the palace entrance. It felt like old times, a brief precious moment of camaraderie before the weight of their new reality pulled them back to the present.
Christopher and Erondil exchanged knowing glances, the corners of their mouths twitching in amusement, before the high elders gestured for them to follow. "Aye, come my lords and lady, we have much to discuss," Gudrik said, leading the way into the grand halls of the Heartless Palace.
The grand doors of the Heartless Palace swung open, revealing the luxurious, wide lobby within. The floors gleamed with polished marble, and massive crystal chandeliers hung from the towering ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow.
A line of butlers and maids stood ready, their uniforms pristine and their postures perfect, each one bowing deeply as the past high elders entered. The group couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia – the palace's grandeur was just as they had left it, a testament to the craftsmanship of the builders and the dedication of those who maintained it.
As they stepped further into the lobby, the current high elders moved ahead, guiding them through the hallways. One of the high elders spoke, his voice echoing off the grand stone walls. "We have prepared a feast in the central conference room – the same one where the leaders of all ten Heartless Guilds would gather in the past. It can still accommodate over 200 people, just as it did when we planned our greatest campaigns."
Xiao Li Jing's eyes sparkled with excitement, a broad grin spreading across her face. "Ah, this brings back memories. I wonder if the old war banners are still hanging inside?"
Sir Pendragon chuckled, adjusting his suit. "Let's find out."
With that, they continued down the long, ornate hallway, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors as they approached the grand conference hall – a place where countless battles had been planned, and the fate of their nation had often been decided.
As the group made their way through the wide corridors of the Heartless Palace, they approached the section where the six magical elevators were located. These elevators, built using a blend of advanced player engineering and powerful ancient magic, were one of the palace's most impressive features.
Each elevator door was crafted from enchanted obsidian, engraved with intricate runes that glowed faintly as they approached. The walls surrounding them were lined with polished black marble, inlaid with gold veins that formed the insignia of the Heartless Guild – a crimson heart crossed by a sharp blade.
Crimson stepped forward, placing his hand on one of the rune panels beside the nearest elevator. The runes pulsed briefly before the doors slid open with a smooth, whispering sound, revealing a spacious, ornately decorated interior.
Gudrik let out a low whistle, his deep voice filled with appreciation. "Still as impressive as ever. Even in the ancient dwarven cities, we never had such smooth mechanisms."
Christopher Pendragon grinned, "It's no wonder. These elevators were built with the best skills and magic we had, a true masterpiece."
Once everyone was inside, Erondil, standing near the control panel, pressed the rune for the fourth floor. With a gentle hum, the elevator began to rise, the golden lights within casting a warm, regal glow over their faces.
As they ascended, Xiao Li Jing playfully elbowed Crimson. "You never liked these elevators, right? Always said you preferred stairs because it 'kept you sharp.'"
Crimson chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Some habits are hard to break."
Within moments, the elevator doors slid open again, revealing the polished marble floors and high ceilings of the fourth floor. A long, red carpet stretched out before them, leading to the massive, intricately carved doors of the central conference room.
As they entered the central conference room, they were greeted by the familiar sight of four long tables arranged vertically, each one polished to a mirror-like shine, stretching the length of the hall. At the far end of the room, a single horizontal long table stood elevated on a marble platform. This was where they, the original high elders, had once sat in the past – a position symbolizing their command over the entire Heartless Guild and its many branches.
Xiao Li Jing let out a soft, nostalgic sigh. "It's like stepping back in time," she murmured, her golden eyes sweeping over the room's grand design, the towering stone columns, the intricately carved ceilings depicting their greatest battles, and the massive crystal chandeliers casting a warm, golden glow.
Irina, her powerful frame moving with surprising grace, stepped up beside her, a small smile on her lips. "It feels like the same, doesn't it?"
Sir Pendragon chuckled, brushing his hand along the edge of one of the vertical tables. "We spent countless hours here, arguing, planning, and sometimes even drinking. Ah, the memories."
SalahAdDīn placed a hand on his chest, his expression proud yet wistful. "This room witnessed our rise from a small guild to the most feared and respected nation in the world. It's good to see it still stands as a testament to our legacy."
Crimson Aegis remained silent for a moment, his dark eyes reflecting the warm light as he walked toward the horizontal table. He placed his gloved hand on the polished surface, the cool marble a reminder of the countless strategies and decisions they had made in this very room.
Erondil, who had been silently observing their reactions, stepped forward. "The room has been preserved as it was, in honor of the six high elders. It remains a sacred place where the foundations of our nation were built."
Crimson glanced back at his comrades, a small, almost nostalgic smile touching his lips. "Let's sit. It's time we discuss the future."
When Xiao Li Jing heard Crimson's serious tone about discussing the future, she immediately raised her hand with a playful grin. "Wait, wait! Before we get all serious, shouldn't we eat first?"
The group burst into laughter, their voices echoing off the grand marble walls.
Sir Pendragon clapped her on the back, his sharp blue eyes twinkling. "Ah, some things never change. Always thinking about food, Xiao-Xiao."
Irina crossed her muscular arms, shaking her head with a chuckle. "Fine, let's fill our stomachs first. We might be legends, but we're still human."
Erondil, standing at the head of the horizontal table, smiled warmly. "Of course. The food has been prepared as requested. Please, take your seats."
As they moved toward the table, their laughter and lighthearted chatter filled the grand hall, bringing a touch of warmth to the cold, polished stones of their past.