Tamiel and Ann sat across from each other at a table in his office.
Aden and Alain stood to the side, and Tamiel's guards exited the room.
Aden was silently amazed That such a young man could be one of the priests of the most advanced kingdom in the world.
But it also gave him hope, Maybe he too could soon hold an important role.
"We're honored by your presence, Lady Ann. How may we assist you?" Tamiel asked, a satisfied look on his face.
"Are you the only one here? What I want to discuss is of the utmost importance,And I need you to pass it on to the other priests."
"Of course, Lady Ann. What is your request?"
"Last night, I returned to my kingdom after visiting the Center of the World."
As soon as she said that, Tamiel's face shifted to one of shock and fear.
Aden and Alain noticed immediately, Realizing just how unusual that location was to the people of this world.
"In any case," Ann continued, "I discovered something extraordinary. The Great Witch of history -Zaya the Great, was there."
Tamiel stared at her with a skeptical, scrutinizing gaze.
"I'm sorry, Lady Ann, but are you certain of what you're saying? The Center of the World is one thing, But Zaya the Great is another matter entirely. She's a legend - probably nothing more than a myth and-"
"I'm certain!" Ann cut him off angrily. "She was in the Heart of the World, and looked exactly as the stories describe her."
Tamiel stood up, sweating and terrified.
"If that's true, then this is a colossal threat! The entire world must be informed!"
"Exactly. I plan to meet with all the world's leaders and form both offensive and defensive alliances against the Center of the World."
Tamiel sat back down, deep in thought.
"Guards!" he suddenly shouted.
The two guards who had been standing near the door immediately entered.
"I need you to go to the homes of every priest in the kingdom and deliver an urgent message."
He summarized the core of what Ann had told him and sent the guards on their way.
"Don't worry, Lady Ann. I'll ensure that every priest hears about this. We'll maintain close communication with your kingdom and act accordingly. This is clearly a grave matter and must not be taken lightly."
Ann felt a slight sense of relief.
"I'm glad you understand. In that case, we'll head to the neighboring kingdoms."
"Wouldn't it be easier to send letters with Wungborn?"
"I can't risk Dracula's birds intercepting the message."
"Hmm… I see. Then I wish you success, Lady Ann. You can count on me to handle the matter here in our kingdom."
Ann and her children left the room, preparing to return to their own kingdom.
---
Night was nearly upon them.
The three approached an area surrounded by lights and guards.
"What's here?" Alain asked.
"One of the world's great crystals. There are dozens of them spread across the kingdoms. As you can see, it's heavily guarded. These crystals are used to grant people control over the Hesmirion."
"The eight forces of the world," Aden said, now understanding the meaning behind the term.
"Yes. Once you touch a crystal, you gain one of eight different powers."
Alain's eyes lit up. He imagined himself manipulating light like the guards he saw earlier that day.
"I hope I get the power of light," he said with a smile."
They reached the gate separating them from the crystal zone.
"Great honor, Witch Ann," one of the guards said, immediately allowing her to pass.Another guard began to escort them.
"'Witch'?" Alain didn't understand.
The escorting guard was surprised by his question.
"You don't know about your mother? She's the witch of the Gaia Kingdom."
Aden quickly caught on. He realized it was best to hide their memory loss from the world. He nudged his brother lightly, signaling him to stop asking questions.
Alain understood and went quiet, Deciding to ask later.
For now, he focused on what was in front of him - A room enclosed in light,And in its center, A massive crystal, glowing teal-green, Firmly planted into the ground.
The crystal was nearly the size of the entire room - Roughly 40 paces wide.
"Enter one at a time," the escorting guard instructed.
Aden stepped forward first.
The guards controlling the light doors opened them so he could enter.
He walked in and looked up at the immense crystal at his feet.
"What am I supposed to do?" he asked, hoping someone would answer.
No one responded. It seemed like a sacred ritual, Silence was expected.
Eventually, Aden decided to touch the crystal.
Suddenly An immense surge of energy rushed through him. It only lasted a moment, But he had never felt anything like it before.
He left the room and walked up to his mother.
"Well? Are you done?" she asked with a smile.
"I touched the crystal. I felt insane power surge into me. Does that mean I received the power?"
"Yes. You've been granted the Hesmirion! Now try to recall the exact sensation you felt when you touched the crystal. Focus on your hands and remember that feeling."
Aden closed his eyes.
He tried to recall the sensation in his palms from that moment.
Suddenly, His hands began to glow with bright light.
"Wow..." Alain whispered, amazed.
"I received the power of Light..." Aden looked at his now-dimmed hands, stunned by himself.
"So I'm getting the power of Light too?"
"Not necessarily, Alain. The unique ability granted by the Hesmirion is determined genetically."
"So… our father had the power of Light?"
"Yes. That means you could inherit either Light, Or the Passive Element."
Alain smiled and entered the crystal chamber.
He stood there, both nervous and excited. He took a few deep breaths and touched the crystal.
Suddenly, Energy coursed through his entire body.
The feeling wasn't unfamiliar, But he couldn't remember when he'd ever felt it before.
He left the chamber and mimicked what Aden had done - Focusing on the sensation in his palms.
Darkness formed around his hands.
---
In one of the kingdom's homes, An elderly priest was getting ready to attend the nightly gathering of the 20 priests.
He stepped out the door and descended the building's stairs.
He walked out onto the street But failed to notice something important.
In the building's basement, floor -1, Two figures lay on the ground, Dressed in white and yellow.
One of them was severely wounded. The other was headless.
Both were lifeless.
They were the two guards Tamiel had sent.
---