NOTE: READ "LOST TRAIL OF SHORES" AFTER FINISHING VOLUME 1 FOR BETTER EXPERIENCE
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ALMOST A YEAR AGO
Across Kal'zhet, pursuit of power had become both an art and a war. Countless organizations rose and fell, each claiming their purpose to contain , experiment or execute the Grandiors and secure the scattered Runic Flow and Stones.
Ideology defined them, perspective divided them; some sought order, others freedom, some profit, others vengeance.
In simple words, all their task was one but ways were different.
Among these many factions, eight stood above the rest. Their influence affected politics, commerce and conflict across the planet.
THE ATLANTIS Organization was the most disciplined, a network of strategy and precision. Its King was Arthur Pendragon, white-haired old man yet prideful.
AEGIS PROTOCOL prided itself on technological supremacy and intelligence. When it came to nuclear wars and plantation, they were at top. Their King was Marshall Jacob.
FOREIGN LIAISON UNIT 12 specialized in negotiation and manipulation. Their operatives weaves alliances like silk. Its King, Zinc ain Voctuk, was just 17.
THE RASHAGON relied on strength and intimidation. King Ina Myoto cultivated fear as a tool. Their presence was well known enough to silence resistance in most regions.
THE GALLOGLAICH was the guardians of ancient traditions, their focus on the mystical and arcane. King Eamon Corrigan balanced ceremony with ruthless pragmatism.
ORDER OF THE THIRD HAND, their King was...
THE BLACK HAND. A network where loyalty was bought and sold. King Julius Constantine handled both terror and diplomacy with equal force.
HEAVEN'S FALL, an organization shrouded in ideology, sought purification through judgment. King Gabriel Arcturus held moral authority as their weapon.
Each organization were though bound by different codes intersected across Kal'zhet in inevitable conflict. Their Kings ruled strategy. Alliances were temporary and the pursuit of the Grandiors an unending obsession.
....
The terrace of the headquarters sat high above the sleeping city, wrapped in the hush that followed long hours of command.
The wind whooshed gently across the stone railings. Carrying the faint scent of rain from somewhere far beyond the skyline.
Arthur Pendragon stood alone there looking at clean sky.
His hair was pure white, combed neatly back.
Even time had failed to dull his presence. If anything, the years had carved sharpness into him. Refining him into something harder, quieter and far more dangerous than youth ever allowed.
His attire radiated restrained majesty. A long black ceremonial coat flowed behind him, lined with subtle silver embroidery that caught the dim terrace lights.
Old, yet handsome.
He held a porcelain teacup between gloved fingers. The steam rose lazily into the cold air. He took a slow sip.
Footsteps approached behind him.
Not hesitant enough to be a subordinate.
Arthur didn't turn.
"Dammit. Walking like a man who still trusts his knees. That narrows the list."
A low chuckle answered him.
"I hate your jokes, Arthur. I was hoping age would dull you a little. Would've made my job easier."
Arthur allowed the faintest smile.
Marshall Jacob stepped into the light.
He was tall, lean and carried himself with the casual arrogance of someone who trusted his own mind more than any weapon.
His hair was iron-gray with streaks of cold blue.
He wore a fitted charcoal coat with segmented armored lining beneath the fabric, subtle but unmistakably engineered.
Around his neck rested a collar-piece. Thin as jewelry. A long scarf of matte silver cloth hung loosely, fluttering behind him like a banner that refused to settle.
King of Aegis Protocol.
Marshall Jacob leaned casually against the stone railing. Producing his own cup without asking.
"Still drinking that same bitter leaf?" he asked. "You ever considered trying something that actually tastes good?"
Arthur sipped again.
"I see. You have objections against my doings. Hmm, wait. Let me bring out my list of the 'things I don't care'."
Marshall smirked.
"That explains your personality."
They stood in silence for a moment, sipping.
Then Marshall spoke again.
"Heard about the incident. Your people handled it… AMAZINGLY!!"
Arthur's eyes didn't shift.
"Appreciation is just a polite fotm for survival."
Marshall tilted his head slightly, studying him.
"You promoted the boy already, didn't you?"
Arthur didn't answer immediately. The wind brushed his coat,
"Talent that survives first contact deserves recognition."
Marshall chuckled softly.
"You always did like gambling on people."
Don't forget lad, you always preferred gambling on machines."
Marshall lifted his cup in mock salute.
"Machines don't betray you."
Arthur's expression remained calm.
"Nope, they simply fail at the worst possible time."
Marshall laughed in a genuine sound.
"God, I missed talking to you."
Marshall rested his elbows against the cold railing, cup still warm in his hand.
"Three years. Three whole years since we last spoke without reports, briefings or some burning crisis chewing at our heels."
Arthur let out a quiet breath through his nose.
"Three years since you last complained about paperwork, you mean."
Marshall gave a lazy grin.
"Paperwork is the true enemy of civilization. It's the damned signatures."
"You signed treaties worth more than cities. Don't pretend your hand suffered."
"My hand survived but sanity didn't."
They both chuckled. Tired laughter shared between men who had seen too much to laugh loudly anymore. The wind picked up slightly.
Marshall's voice went quieter.
"You ever notice how peaceful it looks from up here?" he said, nodding toward the city. "Families walking, shops are closing. Kids probably arguing over nothing important."
He exhaled slowly.
"But peel back the surface… and it's rot. Crime syndicates trading lives like coins. Countless anomalies across the territories are causing harm to properties and lives. People losing homes, minds, souls. We spend our lives plugging holes in a dam that is already breaking."
Arthur finished his tea and set the empty cup on the stone railing.
"The illusion of peace is necessary." he replied calmly. "If people saw the reality of what we hold back for them… civilization would collapse under fear alone."
Marshall nodded once.
"Responsibilities are annoying but undeniable. That's why I hate it. Kings, Martials, Agents… fancy titles for people who don't get to rest."
Arthur turned fully now, facing him.
"Rest is earned and rarely granted."
"You know, for once… we should have some fun."
"Agreed."
They both placed their cups aside.
Without warning, Arthur extended his right hand.
A sword formed out of nowhere. First, some particles gathered and then turned into a sword.
Not like any relic sung in old tales. This Astra carried its own identity. The blade was narrow but impossibly sharp, forged from pale silver metal layered with thin. Flowing veins of blue light. The guard curved outward in asymmetrical arcs. At the center of the hilt, a rotating core of condensed Runic Flow spun slowly, humming like a distant tide.
Marshall exhaled softly. "You should go to Donlon aura farming academy. You will get 'unknown' grade exam, I bet my robotic maids."
He raised his hand, then around him, space rippled.
Fragments of light bent inward, folding unnaturally until a mirror manifested beside him. Its surface glitched continuously, reflections flickered between moments that hadn't happened yet. It was glitching in space.
He didn't need to carry it. It hovered lazily near his shoulder, distorting the air around it.
Marshall rolled his neck once.
"You realize that if anyone below sees this, they will assume the world is ending and run in their honorific temples which they didn't even saw for years."
Arthur raised the sword slightly without any talk.
"They wouldn't be entirely wrong."
"Good. Been a while since I exercised properly."
"Then come, remind me why Aegis still calls you King."
Marshall's mirror rotated slowly beside him, glitching faster now.
"Oh, Arthur. I am about to remind you why you stopped challenging me first."
Wind tightened across the terrace as both men moved at once.
Arthur lifted his blade. Jacob's mirror fractured into violent light.
"ER GESCILDEND!!"
"AEGIS HAMARTIA!!"