Chapter 168: Prodigies
The great hall was silent, a palpable tension in the air as the world's mightiest gathered, each of them carrying the weight of entire races and legacies.
The atmosphere crackled with an almost suffocating intensity, as though space itself bowed to the overwhelming presence of these ancient beings.
The gathered figures, cloaked in their resplendent auras, each radiating a unique energy that was both comforting and intimidating, sat in silence.
At the long table, each seat was occupied by a representative of the great clans, their bloodlines stretching back millennia.
The race heads sat upon their high thrones, each one a monument to their power, and their voices were like thunder in the minds of all who dared listen.
There were no pleasantries exchanged, no frivolous words.
This was not a place for idle chatter.
They were here for a singular purpose, and they would waste no time in arriving at it.
In the heart of the hall stood the Head of the Titan race, Gorath, his very being bending the air around him.
His skin was like granite, and his eyes gleamed with the power of the mountains.
As he opened his mouth to speak, the room seemed to tremble, his voice rumbling like a deep earthquake, each word a force in its own right.
"I bring forth the champion of the Titan race, Taeron"
Gorath declared, his deep voice echoing through the hall.
"Though he is young, his mastery over the earth and his innate strength surpasses even our greatest warriors. It is his time to lead our people into the next era"
A single wave of his hand seemed to command the very air around him, and the surrounding space seemed to bend with his will.
His gaze swept across the room, almost daring anyone to question the might of his champion.
Next, the air shimmered with ethereal energy as the King of the Dragon race, Iserios, spoke.
His form was almost too radiant to behold, the fire in his eyes flickering with the agelessness of dragons.
His voice was like the distant roar of a storm, his words carrying the weight of centuries, his aura affecting the very fabric of reality.
The air grew hotter, and the sound of crackling flames seemed to come from the very air itself.
"The one chosen to represent the Dragons is none other than Kaelithar"
Iserios' voice soared through the room.
"He is a prodigy of both flame and flight. His bond with the primal forces of fire has already surpassed many of our most revered elders. The flames that consume him are not of this world, and his wings can scorch the skies themselves. It is his to claim"
As he spoke, the air seemed to warp and twist, creating a heat that made the very walls sweat.
His power was palpable, and it was clear that even the finest warrior would tremble before him, let alone her champion.
The next to speak was Aurelius of the Phoenix race, his regal form alight with radiant, golden feathers that glowed with the intensity of a thousand suns.
As he stood to address the assembly, his presence stretched outward, and the very fabric of reality shimmered under his gaze.
His voice was soft, yet unyielding, filled with the same fiery passion that embodied his people.
"My chosen champion is Serenelle"
Aurelius announced, his tone both proud and expectant.
"Her flames burn brighter than any before her. She has already been seen soaring higher than any Phoenix ever dared. Her rebirths have come faster and with greater power, showing that she will stand at the pinnacle of our kind. She is the flame of our future"
When Aurelius spoke, a wave of heat radiated from him, causing the air to shimmer with the raw intensity of burning fire.
His words were not just spoken, they were felt, ike a rising sun that would never set.
The Elf King, Aeltharion, stood next, his form elegant and noble, the aura of the elves surrounding him like a soft breeze.
He was tall, lithe, his silver hair cascading like flowing water down his back.
His voice was clear, like the ringing of a bell at dawn, and yet there was power in every syllable.
His presence was not one of brute force, but of subtle elegance and a mastery over nature itself.
"Vahalin is our chosen"
King Aeltharion said, his voice resonating deeply within the hearts of all who heard it.
"He is a prodigy among our kind, unmatched in both intellect and swordsmanship. His control over the forces of the earth, the wind, and even the very trees themselves is nothing short of mastery. In time, he will show the world the true might of the Elves"
As Aeltharion spoke, the room felt lighter, as if the very trees of an ancient forest were reaching their branches toward the gathering.
There was no loud proclamation, only the gentle power of his presence, a force that grew as he spoke, urging everyone to listen closely to the wisdom in his words.
Next came the dwarf leader, Baldor, whose presence was like the unyielding strength of stone.
His thick beard swayed as he raised his voice, the deep rumble of his tone vibrating through the chamber like the sound of an anvil struck by a hammer.
"Thrain Ironfist will carry the banner of the Dwarves"
Baldor announced, his voice like the crack of a forge's hammer.
"His strength is unmatched, his resolve unshakable. He has forged weapons the likes of which the world has never seen, and his mastery over metal and stone is absolute. He will prove that the heart of a dwarf beats with the power of mountains themselves."
The mere mention of Thrain's name seemed to ignite the air with an almost metallic scent, as though the very essence of steel had been awakened.
Baldor's words carried the weight of centuries of dwarven tradition, and in the silence that followed, it was clear that none would question the might of the dwarf race. Stay connected with m-v l|e'm,p| y- r
The next to speak was the Demi-Human leader, a creature of both grace and untamed fury.
Kaelen stood with a wild, untamable energy, his form lithe and graceful, his piercing green eyes alight with power.
He was the very essence of the wild, and his presence was like a storm about to break.
"Rylis is the one chosen to represent us"
Kaelen's voice rang out like a hawk's cry across the sky.
"He is both beast and man, his instincts honed beyond any of his kind. His ability to commune with the beasts of this world, coupled with his strength, makes him a force to be reckoned with. In him, we place our trust"
His words stirred something primal in the room, as if a wild wind had swept through the assembly, carrying with it the scent of forests and untamed lands.
Kaelen's presence was both calming and overwhelming, and it was clear that the Demi-Human race would never be underestimated with such a champion leading them.
Next came the vampire Queen, Elara, a being of chilling grace.
Her pale skin almost shimmered in the light, her eyes gleaming with an eerie crimson glow.
Her presence was suffocating, as though the very air around her had become thick with power. When she spoke, her voice was like a velvet whisper that carried the weight of millennia.
"Aurelia will be our chosen"
Elara's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"Her command over blood is unparalleled, and her speed and strength rival the greatest of our ancestors. She is the very embodiment of the eternal night, and she will show all who stand against us what it means to challenge the vampires"
As she spoke, the temperature in the room dropped, the air growing thin and cold, as though the presence of the vampires had drawn all warmth from the world.
The power of Elara was undeniable, and it was clear that her chosen champion was no less formidable.
Finally, the Human race was represented by none other than Michael, the Swordmaster, a man whose very presence seemed to slice through the atmosphere.
He stood tall, his piercing gaze sharper than the finest blade, and his aura resonated with an unyielding power.
Around him, the space itself quivered, as though bowing to the sheer intensity of his sword intent, an energy so refined it seemed capable of cleaving through the very fabric of reality.
When Michael spoke, his voice was calm yet commanding, like the whisper of a blade being drawn from its sheath, but it carried the weight of a storm ready to strike.
"The one who will represent humanity is Anthony"
Michael declared, his tone cutting through the thick tension in the room like a well-honed edge.
"He is a prodigy whose resolve is unshakable, his mastery over the elements unparalleled, and his will stronger than the sharpest steel. Anthony will stand as the sword and shield of humanity, carving a path for our future"
As his words echoed, his sword intent manifested, an invisible but palpable force that seemed to press against the non-existing walls of the chamber.
The air itself shimmered under its pressure, as though reality were being tested for its strength.
Those in the room, powerful as they were, could not ignore the subtle hum of restrained devastation emanating from the Swordmaster.
It was a force that demanded respect, a declaration that humanity's champion was one to be feared.
Michael's gaze swept over the assembly, unwavering and absolute.
It was not a challenge, but a promise, that humanity would not falter under his watch.
The world's mightiest had spoken.
And as the room fell silent, their gazes turned to one another, each of them acutely aware that the time of reckoning was fast approaching.