Chapter 4: gathering of Titans

The great hall of the Clan Alliance Headquarters was a fortress of ancient craftsmanship, its high vaulted ceilings and intricately carved walls exuding a timeless grandeur. The circular table at the center of the room, etched with glowing elemental runes, radiated a soft light that bathed the hall in a serene yet foreboding glow.

The leaders of the most powerful clans across the world had assembled, their presence casting an air of authority and tension. Hideo Kiryūjin stood at the head of the table, his stoic expression betraying no hint of emotion.

The hum of conversations died as Hideo raised a hand, signaling the start of the meeting.

"Thank you for answering the summons," Hideo began, his voice calm yet commanding. "I would not have called upon you all unless the matter was of the gravest importance."

Before he could continue, Jackson Holt, the representative from the United States, leaned back in his chair with a scoff. His muscular frame and lightning-crackling eyes radiated impatience.

"Let's skip the pleasantries, old man," Jackson interrupted. "We all know why we're here—the Titans, right? Just tell us where to hit, and I'll take care of it."

Hideo's crimson eyes flicked to Jackson, unperturbed. "If brute force were sufficient, Holt, I would not have summoned this council. Restrain your arrogance and listen."

The rebuke drew a smirk from Li Wei, China's representative, who lounged in his chair with serpentine grace. "It seems even the Titans have yet to match the size of your ego, Jackson," he remarked, his tone dripping with mockery.

Jackson's fists clenched, lightning sparking at his knuckles, but before he could retort, Isabella Romano from Italy cut in.

"Enough!" Isabella's sharp voice echoed through the hall, her emerald eyes flashing with passion. "Let's focus on the problem at hand. Hideo, what's causing the curses to escape? And what does it have to do with the Titans?"

Hideo inclined his head, appreciating her directness. With a wave of his hand, the table's central rune glowed brighter, and a holographic projection of Earth appeared, its surface marred by dark, pulsating spots.

"The Polluted Land," Hideo began, his voice steady, "was created to imprison the world's negative energy. For centuries, it has served as a mirror to our realm, containing curses that would otherwise plague humanity. But recently, the barriers between our world and theirs have weakened."

The leaders leaned forward, their attention fixed on the projection.

"This," Hideo continued, pointing to the dark spots, "is where the barriers have been breached. Curses are slipping through, but these breaches are not random. They are harbingers of something far worse—the Titans."

A tense silence followed his words, broken only by the low hum of the projection. Dmitri Volkov, Russia's representative, finally spoke, his voice a deep rumble.

"Have the Titans awakened?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with the weight of a soldier preparing for war.

"Not fully," Hideo replied. "But their presence stirs, and it is only a matter of time before they break free. This is why we must act now."

Jackson leaned forward, slamming a fist on the table. "Then why are we wasting time talking? Just tell me where to go!"

Before Hideo could respond, Jin Soo-Yeon from South Korea, her elegant demeanor unshaken, spoke softly but firmly. "This is not a battle you can win with brute strength alone, Jackson. The Titans are not mere beasts. They are ancient forces of destruction."

Her words seemed to calm the room, but the tension remained. Édouard Laurent from France, ever the skeptic, crossed his arms with a scoff. "So what's your grand plan, Kiryūjin? Surely you didn't call us here just to share bad news."

Hideo's gaze hardened, and he raised a hand. The projection shifted, revealing the image of a boy—a slight figure with an unassuming face but a hauntingly bright aura that seemed to fill the room.

"This," Hideo said, his voice carrying a weight that silenced even Jackson, "is Lucian. He is the Star Vessel."

The room erupted into chaos.

"Impossible!" Édouard exclaimed, his arrogance replaced by shock. "A clanless boy? This is absurd!"

Jackson's eyes narrowed, lightning crackling around him. "Why wasn't he brought to us sooner? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"

Jin Soo-Yeon's soft voice cut through the noise. "Hideo, are you certain?" she asked, her tone both concerned and reverent.

Hideo nodded. "The signs are unmistakable. Lucian carries the light that can extinguish the Titans' darkness. But he is untrained and vulnerable. That is why I have called you all here—to decide his fate."

The room fell silent, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

Salim Al-Farsi, Saudi Arabia's wise and ancient representative, finally spoke, his voice measured and calm. "This boy is no mere tool. If he is to face such a burden, he must be protected, nurtured, and allowed to grow."

Arthur Langley of Britain, his regal demeanor unshaken, nodded in agreement. "Agreed. But the question remains—where will he be safest? And who among us is worthy of guiding him?"

Li Wei's serpentine smile returned. "Ah, the real question. Shall we fight over the boy like greedy merchants squabbling over gold?"

Gunther Krause, Germany's towering representative, slammed a fist on the table, his booming voice cutting through the tension. "Enough! This is not a game. The boy's safety must come first. We must put aside our egos and think of the greater good."

The room grew quiet once more, each leader lost in their thoughts.

Hideo's calm voice broke the silence. "We have much to discuss, but know this: Lucian's fate will shape the fate of the world. Choose wisely."

The room remained charged with tension following Hideo's revelation of Lucian as the Star Vessel. The council members' initial shock had subsided, replaced by heated debate that echoed off the ornate walls of the grand chamber.

Jackson Holt leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as sparks of lightning danced between his fingertips. "So, let me get this straight," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "We're putting the fate of the world in the hands of a kid who doesn't even have a clan to back him up? What's next, handing him a Titan as a pet?"

Hideo Kiryūjin, unflinching as ever, met Jackson's gaze with a stoic calm. "Lucian's potential as the Star Vessel outweighs his current inexperience. That is precisely why he requires guidance. He is not yet the solution, but he is the key to finding one."

Li Wei, who had remained silent thus far, steepled his fingers and spoke with measured precision. "Guidance, yes. But from whom? Surely, we're not going to leave this matter entirely in the hands of the Kiryūjin Clan. Neutral ground must be established—somewhere where the boy's training isn't influenced by one clan's agenda."

Isabella Romano scoffed, flipping her raven hair over her shoulder. "Oh, please. Neutrality is a myth, darling. At least in Japan, we know the boy will be under strict protection. Besides," her emerald eyes flashed, "if you think any of us are going to sit by quietly and let you take control, think again."

Édouard Laurent smirked, his voice laced with thinly veiled disdain. "And yet, Isabella, you argue for the very clan hosting this meeting. A convenient bias, wouldn't you agree?"

Before Isabella could retort, Gunther Krause's deep baritone cut through the noise. "Enough," he said, his fist landing heavily on the table. "This isn't about politics or power plays. The Titans are awakening. Every moment we waste bickering puts the entire world in greater danger. If Hideo believes Japan is the safest option, we should hear him out."

Jin Soo-Yeon nodded gracefully, her voice a soothing balm to the escalating tension. "Gunther is correct. The boy's training must begin immediately. However, we must also ensure transparency. Perhaps allowing supervised visits from representatives of other clans could ease concerns of favoritism."

Hideo allowed a faint smile to tug at the corner of his mouth. "An elegant solution, Lady Jin. And one that I would readily agree to. The Kiryūjin Clan will serve as Lucian's primary protectors and mentors, but the boy's progress will be shared openly with all present."

Salim Al-Farsi, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. His voice carried the weight of centuries, each word deliberate. "There is wisdom in Jin's suggestion, but let us not forget the boy's humanity. He is not a pawn to be scrutinized endlessly. Trust must be extended, or we risk breaking the very vessel we seek to protect."

Mateo Herrera, calm and contemplative, raised a hand. "I agree with Salim. Too much oversight will only hinder the boy. Let him grow under the guidance of those capable of teaching him."

Jackson rolled his eyes, the sparks at his fingertips flaring briefly. "Fine. Let Japan play babysitter. But don't come crying to me when this whole thing blows up in your face."

Li Wei's lips curled into a sly smile. "If it does, we'll be sure to let you say 'I told you so,' Jackson."

Hideo rose from his seat, his commanding presence instantly silencing the room. "It is decided, then. Lucian will remain under the protection of the Kiryūjin Clan, with supervised oversight by the council. Let this be the first step in ensuring the safety of the Star Vessel—and the world."

He placed his hands on the table, activating the runic circle once more. The holographic projection shifted to a pulsating red mark in the Pacific Ocean. "Now, let us turn our attention to the rising curse activity near the Polluted Land. We have much work to do"