The Abyssal Order
Aurelia Leondell's POV
The secret task given to us was to search a being that emits the S-class aura, this mission was exclusive and was only known to the 12 members of the Abyssal Order.
1. Lord Kael Draven
2. Lady Sylva Valenwood
3. Lord Alistair Valtoria
4. Lady Seraphine Suncrest
5. Lord Raiden Blackfyre
6. Lady Morgana Wyntershade
7. Lord Thorne Stormwatch
8. Lady Elara Ashfell
9. Lord Dorian Ironhart
10. Lady Lyra Dawnspire
11. Lord Rylan Darkwater
12. Lady Selarian Moonveil
"How are the representatives the 12 Lords sent?" Gideon asked.
"They're all extraordinary, Father. It's the perfect team for this mission," I replied.
"The danger of an S-rank aura is not to be taken lightly, even for me. If you encounter an enemy you can't face, call for backup immediately," Gideon warned.
"Understood, Father!" I responded, bowing deeply.
The Ancestor has summoned the Abyssal Order, and it's been two weeks since its establishment. All the members have now arrived at the Ancestral Palace, and today is the day we depart to explore the entirety of the Velandor Empire. For most of us, it will be the first time venturing beyond the walls of our respective domains.
As I arrived at the Sentinels Chamber, a massive hall filled with holographic images displaying different aspects of Velandor, I noticed several mages observing and controlling these projections. It resembled a vast communication hub, with countless communication orbs buzzing with activity.
The other members of the Abyssal Order had already taken their positions. I approached, kneeling before the Ancestor and Lord Balthazar, the Overseer of the Sentinels Chamber.
He handed me a mechanical ring.
"Each of you has been given one of these. It's a communication device. Each of you has a unique code—chant the code, and you will be able to contact each other," Lord Balthazar explained.
"In the shadow of time's endless march, a nation once mighty shall falter, not by the hand of its foes, but by the rise of a sovereign unknown. His crown shall be born of silence, his rule cloaked in obscurity, yet his dominion shall spread like a slow fire. The people, blind to his coming, shall awaken only to despair, for his reign is one of quiet ruin. Left unchecked, his influence will seep beyond the borders of his land, a contagion of suffering, sparking flames in neighboring realms. A single nation's fall, ignored, becomes the harbinger of a greater collapse."
"That is the prophecy Lady Selene has deciphered in the Tower of Prophecies. She believes the unknown sovereign is currently lurking in the shadows somewhere in Velandor. However, spreading this news would only force the unknown sovereign to accelerate their plans. Therefore, we must carry out this mission discreetly, to catch them off guard. Lady Selene also warned that Velandor will collapse within 10 years, and in the five years before that, chaos will rise to the surface," the Ancestor explained.
"Is the Ancestor's realm of power unable to detect this presence?" Krael Draven questioned. His voice cut through the tense silence, a question that lingered in the minds of many, including myself. I was grateful he spoke up.
"Only a god could extend their consciousness to cover the entire Southern Land," the Ancestor replied calmly. "My power, though vast, can only span the Central Plains—covering two nations at most." The room fell silent again, acknowledging the tremendous feat of such power. The current head of the Arcanum can only extend their consciousness to a city-wide area, while covering two nations is an achievement worthy of recognition.
"But wouldn't it be faster for the Ancestor to seek out the unknown sovereign himself?" Krael pressed further.
The Ancestor glanced at Krael, his piercing gaze softening slightly as if he anticipated the question. His posture remained regal, but his tone became more contemplative.
"If only it were that simple," the Ancestor said, pacing slowly across the chamber. "There are several reasons why I cannot undertake this task alone. The first is balance. As powerful as I am, my presence alone can destabilize certain forces within Velandor. For centuries, I've learned that when power shifts drastically, nature and the arcane respond in kind. Even now, my return is causing ripples throughout the land, subtle as they may be. If I were to personally scour the continent for this unknown sovereign, it would stir unrest—perhaps even alert the very entity we seek to remain hidden."
The Abyssal Order members exchanged glances, processing the gravity of his words. Krael nodded slowly, understanding beginning to dawn.
"Second," the Ancestor continued, "my consciousness, while vast, is not without its limits. The sovereign we seek has hidden itself well, likely shielded by ancient magic or even divine intervention. Such a being is not careless. I could spend years searching blindly, and in doing so, the unknown sovereign may lay waste to Velandor before I ever find them."
The room grew more somber as the members realized the enormity of the task.
"But why can't we use your power as a beacon to draw them out?" Lady Elara Ashfel asked "Wouldn't the sovereign be forced to reveal themselves if they sensed you were actively seeking them?"
The Ancestor's expression shifted, a small smile appearing. "A clever thought, but that, too, would play into their hands. This sovereign thrives in shadows, manipulating events from behind the veil. If I act too aggressively, they will simply retreat deeper into obscurity, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Instead, we need to create an illusion—let them believe we are unaware of their presence. Only then can we move subtly enough to catch them before they unleash their plans."
"So that's why the Abyssal Order was formed," I said, I am more certain now. "A group powerful enough to investigate but small enough not to raise alarm."
"Exactly," the Ancestor affirmed. "You will be my eyes and ears, moving where I cannot. Each of you has skills that will aid in uncovering this sovereign's plans. But understand this—while I cannot personally seek the sovereign, I will support you from the shadows. Should the enemy rise, I will be there to confront them, but until that moment, we must act carefully."
"Understood," I said with a respectful nod, and the other members followed suit.
The Ancestor took a deep breath and addressed them all with quiet authority. "Our enemy is patient, but so are we. Velandor has survived for thousands of years, and with your help, it will survive this unknown threat. But remember, we are racing against time. Every move we make must be precise."
A tense silence settled over the chamber, each member aware of the daunting task ahead. The weight of their mission pressed down on their shoulders, but none wavered in their resolve.
"Prepare yourselves," the Ancestor said, his voice calm but firm. "This is only the beginning."