The Circle of Elitist was one of the nine circles in all of Xaydia; it governed Velmoria with an iron grip wrapped in silk. At its head was the royal family, the true rulers of the nation. They guided both its political power and arcane secrets. Alongside them stood five noble families, each representing a village of Velmoria. They served as advisors and enforcers of the circle's will. The Circle's power extended far beyond simple governance. They were the keepers of Velmoria's deepest mysteries, the protectors of magic that predates kingdoms, and the architects of laws that shape not just mortal lives but the balance of magic itself. No decree was passed, no war waged, and no alliance was forged without their deliberation. To defy the circle is to defy Velmoria itself. The Circle Room of Velmoria was an architectural marvel of both grandeur and power. Its vast, circular chamber was carved from ancient stone. Its towering ceiling was adorned with intricate constellations that shimmered faintly with arcane energy.
The room was divided into six distinct sections, symbolising the unity and balance of the land. Each section housed two seats, not mere chairs but levitating thrones of stone and glass, suspended just above the polished obsidian floor. These thrones, though they appeared weightless, radiated an undeniable authority, and their surfaces were etched with the glowing sigils of their respective villages. The noble families who sat upon them commanded both their villages and the flow of magic within Velmoria.
At the very head of the chamber, slightly raised above the rest and made of silver and gold, sat the thrones of the King and Queen. In this court there was Henry III, the king (patriarch), and Emmalia, the queen (matriarch), and their twins, Clairissa and Liam. They represented the first village of Velomoria, the royal village. The wealthy and noble village. The royal heights of VELLGALLION.
To the right of the royals, these seats, like the people who sat upon them, boasted the colours of raven and silver. The patriarch, Wuhang, and his missing-in-action wife, the matriarch, Yukia, led and represented the second village of Velmoria with their son Saiko. They treated it like it was their own birth nation, the Shenzhai Empire. However, it is only colonised land on Velmorian soils. This village, the stolen village, known as the matriarch dragon's village, was the colony of SHENZHAI.
To the left of the royals were the seats of the Montgomery family: patriarch Sebastian and matriarch Natalie, along with their twins, Carl and Carla. The sets were draped in honey and copper. Their colours were rich and warm, reminiscent of sunlit fields and the steady rhythm of industry. They were a village, built on guns, gangs and violence. They represented FRESCHIN.
Directly across from the throne made of gold and silver were the seats of emerald and gold. This village was represented by the James family: Lamar Sr, high priest (patriarch), and Rosleyn, high priestess (matriarch). Their children, Rhyfel, Renae, JJ, and Lamar, were the example used for all the young ones in their village . Theirs was a lineage steeped in magic, and arcane forces so potent that even the royal family dared not overlook them. They were the village of blood, sun and gold. The fourth village, the GENESIS Coven.
To the right of the coven were the seats of azure and olive They were living embodiments of the rainforests that birthed them; they were deep, unyielding, and teeming with life. The embassantai (leaders) were Alejandro the patriarch and Junita the matriarch. Their connection to the land was unmatched, and their wisdom was rooted in generations of balance and survival. But neither of the two were as potent and blessed as their infanta, Isabelle. This was the village of the new rainforest, the village of miracles, and captured land. Village Cinco, otherwise known as NEW XOCHAIN.
To the left of the coven were the seats of snow and mahogany. The leaders Donald and Meghan, along with their daug…son, Daniel, had their presence muted, and their voices often drowned in the tide of greater powers, but they remained—resilient, enduring, and ever watchful—the fragile yet stubborn thread that held Velmoria's core together. The sixth village and the village of industry, silence and peace, ELDORIN.
Despite the elegance of its design, the Circle Room was not a place of comfort—it was a place of judgement, a place of power plays beneath courteous words—a place of decisions that could shape the fate of Velmoria itself.
Saiko and Liam entered through one of the side doors, moving swiftly to stand next to their respective thrones. Their attire now bore the colours of their villages. Saiko was in a sleek, black-trimmed suit draped with his cape, and Liam stood adorned in a gold and silver kurta, whose fabric shimmered under the chamber's light. Catching sight of Rhyfel, Liam offered a small wave, met in turn by a knowing smile.
"Where are the others?" the queen enquired.
"They are on their way," Donald, the patriarch of the Eldorin village, announced.
Silence settled over the chamber, yet it was impossible to ignore Saiko pointing at Rhyfel and making exaggerated faces at Liam. "Will the three mascots before me seize whatever they are doing?" said the queen. Before she could go any further, the air in the room shifted and a palpable tension crept in. The main doors burst open. Striding through was Yukia, the matriarch of the Shenzhai Colony, dressed in a sleek, form-fitting leather suit with a floor-length cape trailing behind her.
Following closely were the four girls from the invitation ceremony. Their silken hems whispered against the polished stone floor, and a hush fell over the gathered nobles; their presence commanded immediate attention. As Carla walked to stand next to her twin in the Frescin court, she leaned ever so slightly toward Carl, her voice a delicate murmur. "What is the meaning of this?"
Carl, with his hands clasped before him in practised composure, did not turn his gaze. "I know not," he admitted. "But as you are well aware, when the Circle summons, one must heed the call," he mocked
You could also make out Isabelle and her parents having their own small argument. Their quiet exchange was cut short as Yukia stood from her seat, inclining her head toward the throne. "Your Majesties, all are gathered. You may proceed."
The room fell silent for a while then came the pronouncement. "There have been alterations to the course of our country's future," King Henry declared, his voice like tempered steel. "Clarissa shall no longer be the heir to the throne."
Whispers burst throughout the chambers, though it was more from the children than the parents. Rhyfel and Liam caught each other's eyes; they were locked in a knowing gaze. Their dream of acceptance and peace has come to an end; they know an heir has no say in who they marry.
"Your majesty." Yukia interrupted, "What of the alliance with my father's nation?"
"The alliance will remain the same." Henry argued, "Clarissa may no longer be the heir, but her union with your son, Saiko will still happen, I suppose, for it is the first love match in centuries."
"My apologies, Your Majesty," Rhyfel interjected, with a voice that was firm but measured. "If Claire is no longer to inherit, then by right, Liam must and with all due respect, an unwed king cannot rule a nation."
Liam stiffened as he was caught off guard by Rhyfel's boldness. Yet, no one rebuked him, for the truth in his words was undeniable. The air in the chamber tensed with unspoken curiosity, as the nobles awaited the king's decree.
The monarchs met Rhyfel's gaze with a deadly stare before speaking. "An excellent question." His voice carried the weight of finality. "Liam shall not rule alone; he is to wed the princess of Drakmire."
A collective gasp rippled through the assembly; some recoiled in shock while others exchanged furtive glances. Across the room, Rhyfel's father, Lamar Sr. curled his lips into a smug smile; he seemed pleased by the announcement, but not all shared his sentiment.
Yukia stepped forward, her expression lined with concern. "Your Majesty, are you certain this is wise? Drakmire is among the most dangerous nations in all of Xaydia. Do you truly wish to welcome them into your home?"
"You are correct," the king acknowledged. "They are dangerous. Which is why this alliance may prove to be our greatest safeguard."
"But—"
"You dare question me?" The king's voice lashed through the chamber like a whip. His piercing gaze locked onto Yukia. "You may be the daughter of the Shenzhai Emperor, but remember where you stand. This is Velmoria, and I am king."
His tone silenced the room, leaving no room for further protest. Then, shifting his gaze to the younger nobles before him, he raised a commanding hand.
"And as for all of you," he continued, his voice laced with growing impatience, "leave my sight at once. I will not tolerate another one of your insolent outbursts. If not for your status as a circle child and Liams's personal guard, I would have you beheaded."
The weight of his command pressed upon them like an invisible force, leaving no choice but to obey.