Chapter 9: Anecdote Broadcast (I)

—18 September 2023—

"BREAKING NEWS!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, breaking news from across the globe today has sent shockwaves through the scientific community and captured the imagination of people worldwide. Reports are flooding in from multiple continents, detailing astonishing sightings of creatures long thought to be extinct or confined solely to the realm of myth and legend."

The voice of the TV was loud. Or rather, the sheer silence that blanketed the dark room with the TV being the sole source of illumination was what made it sound really loud. 

"In India, locals have reported sightings of what can only be described as prehistoric behemoths—Mammoths all over the country. Mainly in New Delhi, where the concentration of these animals seemed to be highest. Not much is known about where these prehistoric creatures have come from, however, all of them seemed to be converging towards New Delhi. The scale of damage is yet to be calculated, however, the death toll solely from getting into the way of the "bull charge" has exceeded 10,000. However, in some weird turn of events, when artillery was not enough, two mysterious girls seemed to have apprehended the incoming charge and have defeated the first horde. However, much to our dismay, the local government and the army have refused to give any explanation or even a hint towards the saviour of New Delhi and possibly, the whole of India."

The screen flickered and another NEWS channel appeared on the huge television. 

"Very much like India, reports have emerged from Brazil about the encounters of sabre-toothed tigers. Or at least that is what they seemed like. With the appearance of sabre-toothed tigers and the ability to bring the temperatures to a freezing point, these creatures seem to be no joke. Armies have assembled around Sau Paulo where the concentration has been the highest. Although it doesn't seem like it, however, it is speculated that someone, just like in India, has been working in tandem with the Brazilian legal force to hunt them down."

"At least someone was discreet."

A comment washes the tense atmosphere, only for it to turn even more tense. 

"Over in Nigeria, residents have been left astounded by sightings of creatures akin to ancient reptiles, possibly resembling creatures from the Mesozoic era. The locals, however, have already begun the pillaging of the carcasses that were left. The government is said to be working its hardest to recover these remnants of the pseudo calamity. But the surprises don't end there. In Australia, reports have surfaced of encounters with creatures straight out of mythological lore. Visitors of the Simson's Desert have claimed to have seen the dead carcasses of worms the size of skyscrapers, brutally mutilated and chopped up. The damage until now, as far as its concerned to mythological creatures appearing, has been the least in Australia, with no death count. " 

The reporter heaves out a deep breath. That doesn't seem like something Finn would do. But then again, I guess the loss of his guardian was heavy on him. 

"If you think that is bizarre, think twice. In Norway, an equally astounding yet horrifying sighting has taken place, with reports emerging of a colossal figure reminiscent of the Frost Giants from Norse mythology. Witnesses describe a towering, otherworldly presence shrouded in frost and mist. Video evidence has shown a young boy, probably a teen, to be fighting this Frost Giant before eventually killing it. The video evidence however is in an extremely garbled quality, making it quite hard to make much sense of. Our IT team is working to make the video comprehensible again. All electronics within the City of Bergen have gone haywire."

The static of the TV fills the air for a while before stabilising on a channel once again. 

"Reports have arrived about sightings of Quetzalcoatl, or as anime fans like to call it, "WyrmKin", in the United States of America. The revered feathered serpent-human abominations from Mesoamerican mythology. A white haired boy was said to quickly dispatch every last one of them. However, there are no remains, carcasses or video evidence of them. But the methodology behind dealing with this scenario was just like the reports we have received from other continents. Just like how in Tokyo, Japan, sightings of different variations of cat and dog-like beings from Japanese folklore, have left an indelible mark of destruction and deaths."

The reporter sharpened his gaze. And no matter which channel was tuned in every reporter has only one set of questions on their lips.. 

"What is going on with our world? What are these "Frontiers" that have magically appeared in the middle of cities, seemingly expanding the size of our world? We can see it, but we can't get near it? But most of all, who are these young kids? The ones who are our saviour but refuse to come in the light of the day. What is the logic behind this "magic" that they perform? So many unanswered questions have sparked widespread panic among both the public and governments alike. With so many unanswered questions swirling in the air, we're left grasping for explanations, struggling to make sense of this surreal turn of events. Stay tuned for more updates!"

As the news report finally concluded, a hand extended and turned the TV off. The numerous lights that were turned on right after made me squint my eyes a little. Shifting in my seat, I looked around me. 

Currently, we are back in Fjellborg Castle. The Seven Syndicates have called for an emergency meeting. 

Meetings arranged on such urgent and short notice are rare. So rare that I have not seen any records of meetings being arranged other than the Annual ones in the scriptures present in our libraries. The scriptures were something akin to board minutes of a company. It usually contains headers which is kind of a summary about every normal, annual and urgent meeting of the Seven Syndicates. 

Of course, this information is available to everyone. At least the ones in charge and the next in line. 

Shifting carefully behind me, I could feel Astrid's nervousness and her gaze seeping into me. This actually makes somewhat sense considering how this is the first time she is in the same room with all heirs for this much time. 

Ever since Astrid started living with me in Hammerfest, she has attended the Annual Meeting only once. Since last year we could not attend it due to multiple complicated reasons. And the only time she did attend before, she barely talked to Yui. 

Looking back over my shoulder, I saw her fidget restlessly as she tried to stand and act like the other attendants in the room who were standing behind the seats of their respective heirs. 

The room that we were in now served as a giant theatre for whichever family wanted to come and rest here. However, right now it was arranged in a way that the comfy seats were placed all around the round table. 

Only the heirs were seated inside with the respective caretakers or guardians right beside them. Except Finn. His guardian was apparently killed by one of the giant centipede monsters that suddenly emerged in the desert. Guardians were usually selected from families that generated an Arcanum user every once in a decade. 

Michael as well did not have a guardian behind him. But the absence of his guardian was a totally different reason. 

Glancing back, I saw Astrid who was twaddling with her thumbs, her locks spilling over both of her shoulders. I should've left her behind, seeing how uncomfortable she is. And she stood out like a sore thumb as well, given my relationship with her was much lighthearted and more akin to friends than enslaving her as a guardian and prompting her to lay her life down for me. 

Putting that aside, the room was pretty large and the sun had come out at this time. It was quite surprising that it was not raining today. 

A bright warm day, natural sunlight and no one talking to me. What a pleasant time to be alive in—

"I'd say you had a pretty hard time in there, didn't ya, Arty boy?"

Noooooo- My tranquillity~

Glancing over to the side, I saw Michael placed his hand on the upper side of his backrest, his piercing golden eyes looking at me with a predatory intensity. His lips were curved into a grin and his voice had a rough edge to it. He always had this quality about his voice. Something that made one think that they'd get injured even by hearing anything from him. 

On the contrary, I, on the other hand, have quite a different opinion. While people never seem to appreciate it, talking to him is like a fresh brisk wind. A good change in pace. At least when I am not in Hammerfest. Since no one knows about this "Arcanum" there. Hence not getting revered as a Godly specimen and instead being talked to in a casual way is a fresh breath. 

Might sound strange, but to each their own, I guess. 

"He was a strong opponent, I'd say." I replied, my shoulders automatically shrugging upwards in a barely perceptible manner. 

"Strong? That Frost Giant was not even mature."

"I suppose that makes me the weak one." I tried to steer the conversation to a conclusion. While I did appreciate Michael being himself, his penchant for chaos was something that should not be played around for a long time. 

I was not looking at him, but even from across the room, I could feel his mood take a complete 180. "How typical." He scoffed and I felt his arms cross. "Always looking down on people around you." He raised his voice barely, the intensity in his gaze only increasing with every passing moment. I felt Astrid take a nervous step towards me, Michael's open hostility taking a tangible toll on her. 

Looking up, I matched his gaze and held it for a strong minute before responding. "I am not looking down on you." I responded. "Looking down on you would be deluding myself." I stated as a matter-of-factly. However, I could see his intentions clearly painted over his face. He really loved causing some kind of discord, all the time. 

However, silly little games that could result in a little scuffle was not something I hated. They were tolerable. Hence I gave him an answer that could be easily moulded in its own way. 

"Oh, me?" As if picking up on what I had said, he spoke up. "What about others, eh? Not worthy of your attention?"

Slipping back into my seat, I let the soft embrace of the cushion hug me from behind. "I don't see anyone in this room as a threat. Of course, except you." I replied. "But that's inconsequential." It was my turn to have a little ride with words. "It might just be me being really humble."

 The look in his eyes was like the one that his brain had suffered a heavy blow. 

Woah, is he grinding his teeth?

A smirk formed on his face, his fingers tightening around the armrest of his seat. 

"Should I feel flattered?" He mused. 

It seemed like my statement earlier had caused everyone to be on edge. The caretakers behind each heir were looking down at me with intense gazes. Beneath their skins, I could feel the Arcanum swelling outwards, ready to combust.

Such simple minded beings. 

"Perhaps?" Replying in a rhetoric, I cocked my head to the side. "Might as well consider feeling rightfully offended." 

The air tensed and cracked and a pop resonated to the right side of my ear. Before it could fully manifest and then explode, Maria extended her hand in my direction and the small congregation of energy was instantly sucked away, diverging towards her open palm. It took a tangible, spherical shape before seeping into her skin and totally disappearing from sight. 

"Michael!"