Hiro's vengeance against the Yakioni was not yet complete.
But for now, he had accomplished what he set out to do.
Serabeft burned behind him as he returned to continue training with Theo.
Meanwhile, news of the Yakioni's destruction spread across Alctora like wildfire.
And nowhere did those rumors create more unease than within the kingdom of the High Blood Elves.
---
The High Blood Elves quickly issued summons to two powerful clans:
The Vencartus—a clan descended from dragons.
And the Flameborn Dwarves.
Among the known races of Alctora, they were the only clans besides dragons themselves with a strong affinity for fire magic.
Representatives from both clans arrived within the capital city of Griamore shortly afterward.
They were escorted through massive marble halls lined with silver pillars and glowing magical chandeliers before eventually reaching a lavish banquet hall.
The room itself was enormous.
A table large enough to seat forty guests stretched across the center while servants continuously poured wine and arranged exotic dishes before the visitors.
Axios Ignos, Regent of the Vencartus, sat calmly near the center of the table.
Beside him sat Mioteeg of the Flameborn Dwarves, whose thick beard and muscular frame contrasted sharply against the elegant atmosphere of the elven palace.
At the head of the table sat the future ruler of the High Blood Elves:
Prince Sasuna Egalhearth.
The prince rose gracefully.
"Welcome to Griamore, Axios of the Vencartus and Mioteeg of the Flameborn."
He placed one hand over his chest politely.
"This banquet is merely a small gesture of gratitude for answering our summons so quickly."
His silver eyes narrowed slightly.
"I am Prince Sasuna Egalhearth, heir to the throne of the High Blood Elves."
He smiled faintly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you both."
Axios remained seated as he began speaking.
"I, Axios Ignos, Regent of the Vencartus, accepted this summons under the assumption that the matter at hand was of considerable importance."
Mioteeg grunted loudly.
"As did I."
The dwarf crossed his arms.
"The dwarves are the greatest smiths in all of Alctora, blessed by the god Hephaestus himself."
He scowled toward the prince.
"Every second spent sitting in this fancy little castle means precious time away from the forge."
Mioteeg leaned back heavily.
"So this meeting had better be worth it."
Prince Sasuna nodded calmly.
"I assure you…"
"…it concerns both of your clans greatly."
His expression became more serious.
"If the rumors have not yet reached your territories, then what I am about to say may come as a surprise."
The prince slowly folded his hands together.
"The Yakioni Clan has been destroyed."
Silence.
Complete silence filled the banquet hall.
Both Axios and Mioteeg visibly froze.
Sasuna observed their reactions carefully.
"So…"
"…you truly were unaware."
Mioteeg slammed both hands against the table.
"THE HIGH BLOODS DEFEATED THE YAKIONI?!"
The dwarf stared at the prince in disbelief.
"Those monsters are absurdly powerful!"
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"I'm honestly shocked you elves managed such a feat."
Axios frowned thoughtfully.
"I fail to understand why we were summoned for this."
He calmly adjusted his gloves.
"News of your victory would have eventually reached our mountains regardless."
Prince Sasuna shook his head.
"That is precisely the issue."
His expression darkened.
"The Yakioni were not defeated by us."
Both representatives immediately stared at him.
"Our war against the Yakioni has persisted for several thousand years."
The prince's voice remained calm.
"And throughout all that time, neither side managed to gain true dominance over the other."
He leaned slightly forward.
"Yet now…"
"…the Yakioni have been utterly crippled."
Mioteeg's eyes widened.
"What do you mean by crippled?"
The dwarf stood so abruptly that several dishes fell from the table.
"You said they were left magicless."
His voice lowered uneasily.
"Only gods are said to possess the power to strip magic away."
Prince Sasuna nodded slowly.
"One of our scouts was conducting reconnaissance near Serabeft after our most recent battle."
His expression hardened.
"They witnessed a lone fire-wielding warrior annihilate nearly a thousand Yakioni by himself."
Axios narrowed his eyes.
"A fire user…"
The prince nodded.
"Your clans are the only major powers within this region known for fire affinity magic."
Mioteeg immediately snorted.
"As amusing as it would be to watch the great and mighty elves tremble in fear…"
He leaned back with crossed arms.
"…the dwarves possess no such warrior."
Axios nodded in agreement.
"The Vencartus are descendants of dragons."
A faint grin appeared on his face.
"Our greatest soldiers are certainly powerful enough to battle the Yakioni."
Then his expression darkened.
"But not alone."
He stared directly at Sasuna.
"We possess no warrior capable of destroying the Yakioni single-handedly."
Silence returned once again.
Prince Sasuna slowly leaned back in thought.
"Then that leaves only one possibility."
His eyes narrowed.
"There exists a third party powerful enough to annihilate one of the strongest giant clans in Alctora."
Mioteeg rubbed his beard thoughtfully.
"And if that power belongs to an entire faction rather than a single individual…"
The dwarf frowned.
"…then every major power on this continent is in danger."
Axios nodded slightly.
"The more important question is why they targeted the Yakioni."
He looked toward Sasuna.
"What if this attack has nothing to do with any of us?"
Mioteeg shrugged.
"The dwarves simply forge weapons."
"We maintain treaties with every race willing to pay."
He pointed toward the prince.
"If this mysterious force truly intended to cripple the balance of power, they would've targeted us first."
Prince Sasuna remained silent briefly.
"Perhaps."
Then his expression sharpened.
"Or perhaps the Yakioni were merely the beginning."
The atmosphere within the banquet hall grew heavy.
Axios spoke calmly.
"We could speculate endlessly, but the reality remains the same."
"We know nothing about this individual."
Mioteeg nodded.
"If this warrior approaches the dwarves, we will negotiate as we always have."
Prince Sasuna's eyes narrowed slightly at the statement.
Axios looked toward both of them carefully.
"If this threat seeks the destruction of all major races…"
"…then cooperation may be our only option."
Prince Sasuna immediately stood.
"I summoned you here only to determine whether your clans were responsible."
The arrogance in his voice returned immediately.
"Now that I know you are not involved…"
"…I see no reason for further cooperation."
The prince looked down upon them coldly.
"The High Blood Elves have no need for assistance from overgrown lizards or blacksmiths incapable of fighting."
Mioteeg's eyebrow twitched violently.
Axios's eyes narrowed.
Sasuna turned away before either could respond.
"You may relay that message to your leaders."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Enjoy the remainder of the banquet. The servants will prepare guest chambers for the night."
The prince paused near the doorway.
"This will likely be the last time we meet."
Without another word, Prince Sasuna Egalhearth exited the banquet hall.
---
As the prince walked through the palace corridors, an envoy quickly approached him.
"My lord."
The envoy bowed respectfully.
"What should I report to the general regarding the meeting?"
Prince Sasuna continued walking without slowing.
"Tell him the Vencartus and the Flameborn were uninvolved."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Then order our scouts to search for whoever is responsible."
The envoy nodded immediately.
"At once, my lord."
Sasuna's expression became thoughtful once more.
"I must speak with my father."
His silver eyes narrowed.
"There are matters of great importance we must discuss."