Chapter 33 The Council Chamber

Mr. Zane and Kai strolled along the sidewalk, their pronounced height difference impossible to miss.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask" Kai said his gaze slowly turning towards Mr Zane.

"Are you part of the Vortex Order ?"

Mr Zane halted his eyes slightly widened in shock. "How do you know about the Vortex Order ?" Mr Zane inquired.

"The voice told me" Kai replied casually.

"What voice"

"The one I've been hearing in my head ever since I swallowed the seal"

"That's right I told him all about it" The voice said.

"Shut up man, you know he can't hear you" Kai muttered.

"The seal is talking to you ?" Mr Zane inquired his face smiling in amusement.

"Yeah, it's been..."

"What sort of beast is that child riding on ?" The voice inquired in panic as a little boy on a bicycle drove past them.

"It's called a bicycle you idiot"

"Is it some sort of mechanical beast" 

Kai rolled his palm over his face in annoyance letting out a loud sigh "You know what just go through my memories I'm sure you'll find something about bicycles in there"

"Oh so now you want me to go through your memories ?" The voice asked

"As long as it means I don't get to hear your voice, go for it man"

"The both of you really seem to be getting along well" Mr Zane mocked a slight grin spreading across his face.

Kai sighed "He's the worst, the guy never shuts up, I keep hearing his... Archaic voice ringing inside my head" Kai complained.

"As for the question you asked earlier... The answer is no I'm not part of them" Mr Zane replied his voice grave.

"Ohhh, so that means you're part of the good guys" 

"Well I am trying to stop a demon of over one thousand years from coming back to Earth and destroying everything, so yeah I guess you can say I'm a good guy." 

"So are you like..." Kai was about to ask his curiosity piqued.

Mr Zane cut in "No more questions"

****

Crimson Vanguard – The Council Chamber

The grand hall stretched wide, its high arched ceiling lined with sleek, silver panels that reflected the bright, evenly distributed lighting. At the center of the room stood a massive, V-shaped table, its dark polished surface gleaming under the glow. It was made from a fusion of reinforced glass and obsidian metal, seamlessly intertwined in an elegant yet imposing design.

The floor beneath them was a masterpiece of engineering, an intricate blend of glass and metal, forming a translucent surface that pulsed faintly with energy. The walls, lined with deep black steel, were marked with faint, unreadable inscriptions, whispering of history and power.

At the entrance, a colossal metal door stood like a sentinel—thick, unyielding, and reinforced with layers of unknown alloys. It loomed with an unspoken warning.

Six figures sat around the V-shaped table, their presence radiating authority. Each of them, clad in tailored black attire, carried an air of absolute power.

At the center, sitting with an air of dominance, was Principal Xander, his features sharp, his silver hair neatly combed back a perfect match with his white beard, revealing piercing blue eyes that seemed to weigh everything in sight. As usual he wore a white shirt neatly tucked in at the into a black trouser.

To his right, Amara, a woman whose presence burned with intensity. She has a lustrous ebony skin, and a jet-black hair tied into two thick braids that curled over her shoulders, resting against her chest in an intricate weave. The sharp angles of her face and the narrowed glare in her piercing green eyes made it clear—she was not to be trifled with. Her voice was laced with impatience.

"What's taking Zane so long?" she snapped, her fingers tapping irritably against the table.

To Amara's left sat Eleanor, the eldest among them. Her face bore deep wrinkles, a testament to the years of wisdom and battles fought. She was the head of the Healthcare Division, yet despite her aged appearance, her gaze was sharp, her presence unnerving. She wore a long black robe, its edges lined with faint silver symbols that flickered softly, giving the impression of an enchantment woven into the very fabric.

Further down the table was Celeste, a woman with short, chestnut-brown hair that stopped just at the nape of her neck. Unlike the others, she wore a sleek black dress, its high slit running down her leg, revealing the toned musculature of a seasoned fighter. Despite her elegant appearance, there was something dangerous in the way she carried herself—like a blade hidden within silk.

And then there was Victor. His fiery red hair swept backward, the shorter strands at the nape of his neck cleanly trimmed. His red eyes burned like embers, mirroring the raw power that seemed to radiate from his very being. He sat with a calm yet intimidating presence, arms crossed over his broad chest, his black coat resting over his shoulders like a cape. Even seated, he emanated a commanding aura, his very presence resembling a contained inferno—silent but deadly.

Each of them exuded an aura of unmatched power—figures who stood at the very top of the Crimson Vanguard.

Yet, despite their dominance, there was one unshakable truth in the room.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

The massive metal door slid open, a deep yet soothing hum reverberating through the grand hall.

Mr. Zane stepped inside, his footsteps echoing through the vast room. "I'm back," he called out casually, raising a hand in greeting. A single glance was enough to tell, he was the youngest among them.

"What took you so long?" Amara huffed, exasperation lacing her tone.

"We stopped for ice cream," Zane replied with a smirk, his voice dripping with mockery.

Amara's brow twitched. Clearly, she wasn't amused.

"Where's the boy?" Celeste inquired, her tone calm yet demanding.

Zane took his time walking toward the empty chair—positioned directly to the left of the Principal—before finally speaking.

"Come on in, Kai."

A pair of black sneakers stomped against the intricate flooring, the first sign that he was in the wrong place.

Kai stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping across the grand hallway as he took slow, measured steps. He wore a white singlet that clung tightly to his frame, paired with an unzipped black jacket.

The moment he entered, the room fell into silence. Every dignitary present turned their gaze toward him, their expressions unreadable—except for Mr. Zane, who remained as relaxed as ever.

"Kai, I'd really suggest you stop looking around like that." The voice whispered.

"Why?" Kai asked, his eyes still scanning his surroundings.

"Because they don't look happy at all."

His attention snapped toward them. It was like a volley of bullets had struck him in the chest. His knees weakened. The air around him felt dense, suffocating.

A heavy silence stretched between them as he struggled to find his voice. "Uh… my name is Kyler Zenith. My friends call me—"

"Were you asked to speak?" Amara's sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Kai flinched, his confidence melting instantl

y.

"Now, tell me," she continued, her gaze drilling into him. "Is the last seal of Alzarel really inside you?"