Elder War

The great hall of Garuda was buzzing with energy. This was the heart of the Battalion, where the most influential leaders gathered to decide the fate of their land. Today, however, the usual calm deliberation was replaced by a mixture of skepticism and curiosity. Whispers hung in the air, carrying disbelief like the wind.

The room itself was a beautiful sight to behold—a vast hall filled with banners representing each division, their colors clearly visible against the stone walls. Chandeliers made of magical crystals bathed the room in a warm, soft light, casting long shadows that danced with the flickering of magical orbs floating in the air. The air carried a faint hum, a mixture of magic and anticipation.

Mayor Evan Williams stood in the middle of it all, his presence both commanding and reassuring. His voice always cut through the noise, and today, it had to. Beside him were two figures: Kai and Alethea, both wearing the formal uniforms of the Legion Academy. The emblems on their chests reflected light, proud symbols of their training and purpose.

Kai looked a little out of place amidst the splendor. His hand rested nervously on the hilt of his sword, though he tried to hide it with a stern expression. Beside him, Alethea exuded a calm confidence, her sharp gaze scanning the room as if she had already planned their escape route if things went south. She leaned toward Kai and whispered, "Breathe. You're okay."

Kai nodded slowly, almost imperceptibly. "What do you think I'm doing?" he muttered quietly, straightening his back as Mayor Adrian Putra stepped forward to address the crowd.

The Allied military headquarters where this room is located is a marvel of futuristic design woven with timeless beauty. The building soars into the sky, its sleek metallic walls reflecting the ever-changing colors of the artificial aurora that dances above it. Embedded within its surface are veins of glowing blue energy, pulsing gently like a heartbeat, the advanced technological invention that powers the building.

Large holographic screens adorn the exterior, displaying dynamically changing maps, strategic updates, and motivational messages. At night, the headquarters becomes a beacon, its light piercing the darkness like a guiding star, visible for miles around. Surrounding the building are perfectly manicured gardens, where bioluminescent plants glow softly, their light contrasting the sleek modernity of the headquarters with the serenity of nature.

Inside, the hallways are wide and lined with panels displaying moving digital art, depicting scenes of unity and victory. The floors are made of polished onyx that seems to absorb and reflect light in equal measure, creating a sense of infinite depth. Hovering drones move silently through the corridors, performing maintenance tasks or delivering documents, while holographic guides are on hand to assist anyone in need of directions.

In the council chamber itself, futuristic elements blend seamlessly with historical ones. A large table in the center, made from a single piece of magical wood, is adorned with intricate carvings depicting key moments in the history of the Allied Territories. Around it, chairs equipped with touch controls allow attendees to display data or connect to secure communication lines instantly.

"Esteemed General, esteemed mayor," Evan began, his voice echoing through the hall and instantly quieting the whispers. "Today, we are not here to discuss strategy alone, but also to discuss the monster attack that struck our city a few days ago. The dragon, a beast that terrorized our lands and destroyed parts of the city, has been defeated." A cold reaction swept over the audience.

Some leaned forward in curiosity, others were less surprised. General Dominic Von Anneliese, a burly man with a thick beard and hawk-like eyes, raised an eyebrow. "So what does that have to do with those two?" His voice held a tinge of skepticism.

Evan remained calm. "That's true. But what may surprise you more is the person responsible for this victory. It wasn't a battalion, or a seasoned hero. It was a student of the Legion Academy." He paused for a moment, letting his words hang in the air before turning slightly and pointing to Kai. "Meet Kai and Alethea, the young men who brought down the dragon."

"A student?" General Alya Mitchell said, her voice breaking through the din. "This has to be some kind of joke." Kai stepped forward with a hint of anxiety, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room. His palms were clammy, but he clenched them into fists, drawing strength from Alethea's calm presence beside him.

Taking a deep breath, he began, "General, mayor, it is true that I am a student at the Legion Academy, and it is also true that I defeated the dragon. But I did not do it alone. I received training provided by the academy, and I could not have succeeded without my partner, Alethea." Alethea bowed her head slightly, confirming the mention.

She stepped beside him, her steady composure lending credibility to her words. General Maya Anderson, a sharp-eyed woman known for her strategic mind, leaned forward. "A student defeated a monster of that magnitude? Unbelievable. How is that possible?"

Kai's brow furrowed slightly as he gathered his thoughts. "I realized that the dragon was being controlled by something that wanted to destroy this city. On its forehead was a crystal that was always burning, and when we worked together and destroyed the crystal, it told me that it didn't want to attack but that it felt like something was moving its body."

The room fell silent as Kai spoke, his voice growing stronger with each word. For a moment, he almost forgot the grandeur of the room and the skepticism in the air. He simply recounted the battle as he had lived it, vividly describing Akhekh's terror and the desperation that had driven him to action.

When he was done, General Nathan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Words are just words. Where's the proof?" Mayor Liam Wijaya, ready to answer the question, pointed to the room's main screen. They had brought along the recording evidence that was being played. With a flick of Evan's wrist, the large screen projected the image into the air. The council watched in awe as the scene unfolded: Kai, sword in hand, standing against the towering figure of Akhekh. The fight was played out in great detail, showing Kai's calculated movements and the final, decisive blow that brought the monster to its knees.

Gasps filled the room as the projection faded. Even General Liam, who was also skeptical, seemed at a loss for words. Mayor Sofia Dewi, a kind-faced woman known for her unwavering belief in the potential of people, broke the silence. "The evidence speaks for itself. This young man's courage and skill are beyond question. We should be praising him, not questioning him."

General Nathan Santoso, a battle-hardened veteran with countless war scars, leaned forward thoughtfully. "Celebration, perhaps. But it raises a bigger question: If a student can defeat such a creature, what does that mean for the rest of us? Are we falling behind?"

"Or," General Liam Wijaya interjected, "it means the Legion Academy's methods are evolving in ways we didn't expect. Maybe we need to reassess how we integrate their students into our forces."

As the debate raged on, Alethea finally stepped forward, her calm voice cutting through the noise like a knife. "Permission to speak," she began, her eyes unwavering as she met each person's doubtful gaze in turn. "I was there. I saw what Kai did. He fought with courage and strategy. He did not hesitate, even when the odds were against him. If you doubt his ability, then you doubt mine. And I am more than willing to prove our worth."

Her words hung in the air, commanding silence. Even General Dominic's sharp gaze softened slightly as he stared at her. 

Mayor Evan took the opportunity to steer the conversation toward the future. "The question before us now is not the legitimacy of Kai's victory. It is about what we do next. The defeat of the dragon was a turning point, but also a warning. A greater threat looms on the horizon. We must unite and prepare."

General Dominic's voice was cautious. "And you suggest we put our trust in this child? What if this is a one-time miracle?" Kai stepped forward, his voice calm and firm. "I did not defeat it for glory or recognition. I did it because it was the right thing to do. If there is anything I can do to protect our people, I will. And if you want me to prove my worth, I am ready."

The sincerity in her voice silenced the room. General Alya Mitchell smiled warmly, while General Nathan's hardened expression seemed to soften. After a few tense moments, General Maya spoke. "Then let us test him. Kai, if you and your companions are willing, I propose that you join our elite forces for training and assessment. Let us see if your potential can be further honed."

Kai exchanged glances with Alethea. She nodded slowly, her confidence in him unwavering. "We are on service!" they said firmly.

General Dominic smiled as he signaled to end the meeting in a loud and firm voice.

"It is all settled and done, I end this convocation!"

As the council began to disperse, Kai and Alethea fell silent for a moment. Evan approached them, his voice low but firm. "You two did well today. This is just the beginning. The road ahead will not be easy, but I have faith in you." Kai nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "We will not let you down."

Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure watched from a hidden alcove, their presence hidden from view. A sinister smile spread across their face as they whispered, "So, it was the boy who defeated the dragon. Interesting. Let's see how he fares in what lies ahead."

The stage was set, and the fires of courage burned brighter than ever. But in the shadows, something far darker was preparing to strike, and the true test of Kai's strength was only just beginning.