"Indeed, I'm certain that there are no currently known worlds around here," a third voice said.
"Hmmm, could they be from a new world?" the female asked.
"If there was a world that had reached the level of having anyone strong enough to leave, I believe we would have known of that," a second female responded.
"Indeed, unless a god decided to hide it," one said in a gruff voice.
"Why would a god hide a world that had reached that level? What interest would they have in mere mortals?" the first female asked.
"The way gods think has never made sense. They make actions that only they know about," the second female said.
"Hmmm, I can see that the two are extremely skilled and powerful, but it seems we have overlooked the one with the white hair," one voice said, and the moment he did, they all went silent as if they had been caught for a crime.
"Oh, I see, you all saw this being, but all of you have already begun plotting in your heads on how to use and benefit from him," the voice said again. "Hahahaha, you are all sly snakes," he added.
"Sly snakes? Coming from you, that's hypocrisy," one said.
"Tsk, at least I don't try to hide what I am. But that to the side, that white-haired being: he is a dark dragon," the voice said again. The hall was silent again; even their breathing couldn't be heard.
After more than half a minute, the first lady finally spoke. "We only know the tales, but the last time that a dark dragon came, it caused more havoc than we could imagine."
"Indeed, and if this being is anything like his predecessor, he'll become a powerful asset," a deep voice said.
"What about Order? I am most certain that Order will have issues with this being," the second female said.
"Tsk, forget about Order. If the being is alive, then I believe he is on the right side. For now, let us watch and see," one said.
"No, let's have a talk with him," one of the voices said, deep and gruff.
The others fell silent for a few seconds before a woman finally spoke.
"Why should we? We should observe his strength more, see what else he's capable of."
The gruff voice interrupted her again.
"We are not the only ones watching this examination. Several other divisions of the Arcane Council are observing as well. We can't let them study him too much before it's too late for us to act."
The chamber grew still. Then, one by one, all seven voices murmured in agreement.
Without hesitation, the first voice snapped his fingers. At the end of the long, shadowed hall, a massive door slowly creaked open, pouring light into the dim chamber. Yet even as the radiance spread, it failed to touch the faces of the seven. They remained shrouded in darkness, darkness that felt deeper than mere shadow, as if light itself dared not reach them.
A figure entered. He was draped in long robes of black and purple, trimmed with gold. His features were sharp, youthful, long, elvish ears and golden eyes that gleamed faintly in the light. He walked to the center of the hall and bowed deeply, nearly horizontal.
"Greetings, members of the Council," he said, his tone reverent, as respectful as one could be in such a presence.
The deep voice spoke again.
"The candidate with white hair, the dark dragon participating in the examination. Bring him to us. Now."
The robed man hesitated, confusion flickering across his face.
"My lord, the examination is still ongoing. Surely you could wait until it concludes?"
A second voice thundered through the chamber, heavy and commanding.
"We have asked you to bring him to us. We will not wait any longer."
The man in robes flinched. He frowned slightly, but quickly masked his expression to avoid punishment.
"My lords," he began carefully, "forgive my question, but… what is so special about this candidate? It is the first time I have ever heard of someone being summoned from an examination before it is finished."
"You ask too many questions," another voice, a woman's, sharp and cold, snapped. "Do as you are told and bring him here."
The man shook his head slowly.
"My lords, I apologize, but such a request is impossible. No mortal without ranking is permitted to step into the Grand Hall. If you wish, I can prepare a separate location where he might meet with someone of lesser standing, perhaps myself, or someone slightly above. But for a mere mortal to stand before the Seven of the Arcane Council… that would tarnish the very image of what we represent."
He kept his gaze fixed on the floor, careful not to meet their unseen eyes. His tone was steady, formal, and respectful.
Breaking the silence, one of the seven exhaled deeply.
"Fine," the voice said. "Do whatever is necessary. But prepare a way for us to observe him, and to speak with him. Once it is ready, you will inform us immediately."
"As you wish, my lord," the man replied, bowing once more.
He turned and walked toward the great door. It closed slowly behind him, the creaking echoing through the chamber until the two halves met with a heavy bang.
The man leaned against the massive doors as they shut behind him, exhaling a long, weary breath. His composed expression twisted briefly into anger before settling back into calm.
He drew in another slow breath and began walking down the corridor, a long hallway of polished black marble, faintly glowing veins of light running through the walls like living patterns.
He never truly liked the Council. They sat there like gods, high above all, refusing to act, refusing to use their vast powers for anything beyond observation. It infuriated him.
One day, he swore, he would sit among them. And when that time came, he would use that position, that power, to change things.
He would fix the city.
He would strip away everything that made it rotten.
Unlike them, he would not simply watch from a throne of darkness. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖•𝗇𝗲𝘁