MEETING

Northland, Astria

It was an exquisite room with flawless marble flooring that shone with elegance. It was mirror like, reflecting the pure white walls and the circular open lights that lit the room optimally throughout its six hundred square metre space.

A large black, oval shaped table sat in the middle of the spacious room, gleaming with wood polish and without the semblance of a possibility that dust had ever lay on its surface.

Around the table, were black chairs matching the shade of the table.

A couple of figures were already sitting in the room quietly discussing in calm tones whilst on one side of the massive table  facing an immaculate double door on the other side of the room.

Right then, the doors opened to reveal seven figures walking in.

One was an escort, who stood by the side as the six figures walked in.

At the forefront was a middle aged man with sunflower blonde hair made into a slicked back pomp. He had true sapphire coloured round eyes and an extended goatee that matched his hair. A navy blue peak lapel suit rested on his body, showing off his fit figure as he walked in a gentlemanly fashion.

A tall African man was to his right, with a clean cut low fade done up on his black hair as well as a clean shaven face. He had chestnut brown almond shaped eyes and a straight nose that accentuated the confidence he exuded. He wore a black patch pocket blazer and flat front pants of matching colour.

On the left was a lady with golden coloured skin and leather black hair done into a neat perm. She had round, hazel coloured eyes and a slight smile as she entered the room, on her body a simple black sheath dress that accentuated her lovely curves.

As the three figures walked, the air danced around them as if it was burning up, creating the same hazy effect one would see when looking at a mirage.

Behind all three were three figures with dark robes and as well as masks of different designs that concealed their faces, following after them.

They reached the massive table and took their seats, the figures following them standing behind each of them.

A lady from the other side stood up. She was Chinese with long black hair and scarlet eyes that gleamed even in the well lit room.

On her side were 8 figures, all dressed formally for the occasion.

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome you all to this meeting, Representatives of the Mobius of Arcana," she said.

She looked at the blonde haired man.

"Grand Sorcerer Amos Strot."

Then the African man.

"Grand Sorcerer Akin Bello."

Lastly, the black haired lady.

"Grand Sorcerer Indrani Bedi."

All three of then gave a short nod to the lady.

"I am Vivian Shu, newly elected member of the Gifted Halls executive. I hope we can have a prosperous relationship in the future," she said with an amiable smile. "Allow me to declare that this meeting as officially begun. Director Daniel Caster will preside over the proceedings."

After she said that she sat down and a burly man in the center seat shifted before he spoke. He had grey eyes, ivory skin and dark hair made into a slicked back undercut. He also wore a peak lapel suit, twilight fog in colour that showed off his muscular physique.

"First of all, allow me to apologise for the sudden request for a meeting. There are issues of great importance that we must discuss," he said while facing Grand Sorcerer Amos.

The man nodded to prompt that he continue.

"I hate to bring forward many records of facts that were assembled and agreed upon long before we were born, but I feel it is necessary to stress my opinion. Our opinion.

A long time ago, your faction and mine signed an agreement where the Gifted Halls, an association that registers and houses all Gifted, be assimilated into the world's political system. As such we are in every continent and nation, providing opinions and assisting in executing the will of the law.

Your organisation, agreed to stay hidden, in order to not bring forth social unrest. Your predecessors stated that they had no interest in the mundane actions of normal humans, that their only fascination was the intricacies of the Spirit World. In a situation where we thought an impasse was inevitable, we fortunately found common grounds with mutual benefit.

However, now, we have evidence that supports the breaching of our prior agreement. Sorcery is rampant on the streets, rogue Sorcerers have killed many, doing rituals that have alerted the public to the existence of your kind."

Grand Sorcerer Amos lay his hands on the table and gave a reply.

"I agree with the fact that there have been Sorcerers running around with their own motives. Casualties have appeared and even your own organisations have had to intervene in order to wipe a few memories.

However, make no mistake Director. In as much as you'd like to pin this issue on us, we both know the culprit."

"The Order of Somacht? I'm afraid that does not resolve the issue to any extent. The Order has never provoked us once. They have been slaughtering your Sorcerers for decades and the pattern has not changed. The fulcrum of the matter is that this is a Sorcerer problem."

"If I may," Grand Sorcerer Akin said, chipping in. "The Gifted Halls prides itself on upholding national security. I'd say you want to stay true to that, however, does your input depend on who kills the civilians? We have been actively trying to capture these people but to no avail. Why not at least do your part and intervene?"

"I beg your pardon? Intervene? You lot let Ascended Sorcerers walk around leisurely and you want us to stretch our already burdened resources to join in a war that is revolving around you and your organisation?" One of the ladies from the Director's side retorted.

"It's not a matter of this war revolving around us. Just as you have rogue Gifted to deal with, we also have misguided Sorcerers that seek to do us harm. Perhaps we're even playing into their hands right now," Grand Sorcerer Indrani said.

"And yet we've never asked for your input into our matters. Doesn't this show the incompetence of your kind?" a man said with disdain.

"I assure you, your so called rogues cannot measure up to the destructive potential that the Order of Somacht will bring upon us if you choose to not intervene," Grand Sorcerer Akin said.

"Alright then. What do you propose? If we were to somehow come to an agreement that stipulates that we have to lend our aid, what would be the game plan?" asked the Director.

Grand Sorcerer Amos sighed as he witnessed the malicious gazes he was receiving.

"Before that, let me speak a truth that has been forgotten.

When this mutual agreement was signed, a certain party was excluded. The Deviants. Naturally at that time, Sorcerers and Gifted proposed and debated about how to deal with them. Some opted to kill them all to prevent any chances of seeing Night Spawn walk on Eriss.

However, the majority claimed that killing them generation after generation might spur a revolution that may actually give birth to a monster that will consume us all given the nature of Deviants. And so, they resorted to ostracising them.

Now, my friends, there is an organisation housing Deviants with promises of freedom for them in the future. That is the dreadful Order that you keep shoving to us as our own problem. With Deviants involved I can assure you that their stand is payback towards both our organisations. When they coming knocking on your door, you'll know that it's not merely our problem."

The room fell onto silence. The movements of the Order were extremely covert. Their interactions with Deviants had gone unnoticed by the world's organisations simply because they had never been a threat before. They never acted. They were outnumbered.

"Alright, Grand Sorcerer Amos. What you say is indeed true. The Deviants are both are responsibility.

However, the issue at hand is that we know nothing of the objectives of the Order. Killing members of your organisation seems more like a cover story at best. Even if we cooperate, where do we begin?

Like you, they are scattered around the world and have Grand Sorcerers too. Staying hidden and dealing with scout teams would be an easy tasks for them. In terms of a fight, besting a prepared Sorcerer is quite the challenge I dare say," said the Director with a stern tone.

"I share your concerns, Director. Thats why I have a proposal. It might not be very ideal but I think you and I both know that it would be very effective in such a case as ours," Grand Sorcerer Amos said with a slight smile.

A thick fog enveloped the whole room instantly, flowing from the Director.

His gaze was placid, but his eyes shone with a silver light.

"Amos, the card you just played is a very fatal one. If you intend to use our predicament to get your hands on my child, then I'd rather see this world burn."

The fog glowed, making everyone's hair stand on end.

The Grand Sorcerers remained with calm expressions while in the presence of just a powerful Gift Release. The figures behind them however, became vigilant.

"It's called a transaction, Daniel. We are Sorcerers. We don't involve ourselves with politics because there is no merit in doing so. Our agreements with you have always been because we have nothing to lose, everything to gain or both.

Likewise, the world could burn, along with the people you made an oath to protect, or you could make a compromise to stop a  threat. Your call," said Grand Sorcerer Amos with a relaxed expression.

The director remained with his gaze fixated on Amos for a while before retrieving the fog.

"I stand by my word. That option is not on the table."

"I thought as much. We will give you time to consider our proposal. You're the ones with much to lose anyway, Director."