The sounds of bells tolling in the distance filled the empty stone halls of the keep with each swing. Each chime was heavy and resonated with the hearts of every single watchman gathered within the assembly chamber. Hundreds of members filled the seats on the first floor while others stood along the rails on the second and third levels. In the center was a green carpet that stretched from the doorway all the way to the top of the stage, right over the stone steps that were built in the center.

  Tucker stared at the gothic stone arches that were evenly spaced out on the upper floors and overlooked the center of the dark chamber. Currently, the administrators were all seated at the center stage with their respective banners behind them, signifying each region. Their grand wooden chairs with engravings of their area's specialty were eye-catching, but the seat that drew the most attention was the Head Administrator. The empty seat made of stone had no elaborate designs nor engravings or decorations to accompany it. Only a clean slate that stood tall beneath the light.

  “I’ve never seen so many of us gathered in one place before,” Tucker said.

  “Yeah, and it’s not a good thing either.” Alex adjusted his attire and fastened his scabbard to his belt. “Did you follow the list of supplies I gave you?”

  “Don’t worry, this time I brought everything.”

  “Good.”

  “So…what happens now?”

  “We’ll have to wait and see.”

  Their voices were quiet, and like theirs, many others were whispering among themselves. The other watchmen with their green cloaks and dull iron armor chest plates muttered with one another on the first floor. Their look of worry and concern was apparent, unlike those on the upper floors. The stark comparison left Tucker speechless, yet Alex remained unfazed. Their quiet demeanor and stern gazes were enough to show the severity of the situation.

  Tucker observed the rookies on the first floor and knew that he should have probably been down there as well, but Alex told him to follow along. He could see his fellow trainees, some of which who noticed him on the second floor. But before he could say anything, a metallic groan reverberated through the air. The iron hinges creaked as the steel doors at the entrance of the chamber filled with verdant spirit essence and soon parted.

  The grinding of metal and squeaking friction echoed through the chamber, drawing everyone’s attention to the light that pierced the darkness. One by one, the watchmen rose to their feet as the magic lamps on the walls flared to life. In the light that followed, a figure stepped forward, clad in black steel armor. A gleaming shoulder plate bore the insignia of the order: a black hawk with its wings outstretched beneath a crown. Draped over their left shoulder, a vivid green cloak flowed, its fabric contrasting with the dark metal beneath.

  No one dared to utter a word as the Head Administrator walked towards the center of the stone stage. His steps were heavy as the watchmen on the first floor bowed their heads and knelt in his presence. Even though Tucker couldn’t clearly see their appearance in the conference room, he could tell that the Head Administrator wasn’t wearing his usual attire. Tucker’s eyes briefly met Alex’s and then the other veterans. Confirming his greatest fears.

  As the Head Administrator approached the podium with a heavy gait, he turned and faced his fellow administrators, who all rose and stood behind him. They stayed together, unified before the incoming crisis. Their leader stared at the watchmen on the first floor, witnessing the fear that lay dormant in their hearts. Then gazed at the veterans who stood along the rails, causing an immediate hush to fall over the gathering as they focused on the figure before the podium,

  Everyone waited in tense anticipation for their leader to speak, the stillness in the room almost suffocating. Tucker’s heart raced as the silence stretched on, each moment feeling like an eternity. Finally, the Head Administrator raised his hand, signaling for them to be seated. Their green cloaks fell back against the long wooden benches as they all sat down in unison. Seeing this, the Head Administrator nodded and took a deep breath.

  “As of dawn break, His Royal Majesty King Alexander Von Aurora has decreed that the Kingdom of Aurora is now in a state of war against the Avalon Empire following the discovery of several supply depots located along the southern borders of our kingdom.”

  Those on the first floor exchanged worried glances and quietly muttered to each other upon hearing the news. While the veterans exchanged concerned glances with one another on the other floors.

  The Head Administrator placed his palm on the podium, causing everyone to fall silent. “I fear that the time of words has passed, and as such, our services are called upon once more to serve His Highness in safeguarding our home, our motherland. While we have done so for the past century, this will be no different except for one case. That being the arrogance of the Avalon Empire.”

  His stern gaze swept through the chamber, his voice calm yet heavy. “Years upon years have they tested our patience. Pushed our limits to see how much we would tolerate, and I do not speak these words lightly, but they will learn of our might, of our resilience.”

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  The Head Administrator held onto the edge of the podium. “It is with a heavy heart that I ask of you, my fellow brothers and sisters, to answer our motherland’s call. We did not choose this war nor wish for it, but the time has come for us to take up the mantle once more. Not for ourselves, but instead for those who can not. Those who are too weak to protect themselves, too ill to fend for themselves.”

  The watchmen nodded amongst their peers while some tapped on the rails.

  “Know this, I will not force you to remain in the Order as our missions differ greatly from our counterparts. If you wish, you may depart and join another regiment, as the days ahead will be filled with sorrow. Filled with sacrifices and moments when we question if the cause is worth the price we pay.” The Head Administrator straightened his posture and continued, “However, let it be known that with each successful mission, the closer we’ll be to victory. In the days of darkness that lies ahead, our achievements shall be the beacon of light that guides our fellow countrymen towards the end. Towards victory!”

  “In an era as prosperous as this, let us show the Empire of our tenacity, of our courage! Let us emerge from this war not hardened by hate but instead by our unity. As our purpose for marching differs from others, not for honor, not for glory, but to our duty!”

  The watchmen on the first floor rose one after another and cheered as the Head Administrator raised his fist into the air. Tucker felt the entire room shake under the tremors and kept his mouth shut while tightly clenching his hands.

  “““To our duty! To our Kingdom!”””

  They watched as the energetic young watchmen were filled with a sense of pride and even a bit of excitement. But the veterans on the upper floors remained quiet. Not daring to utter a single sound. Tucker knew the situation was far more dire than predicted from his previous encounters with the Empire. It was clear that they were fully prepared for a long, drawn-out conflict. The Empire wanted blood, and this war would be one of annihilation. Us versus them.

  Tucker’s eyes followed the watchmen on the first floor as they made their way towards the exit. Once all the greenhorns left the chamber, the administrators stared at the veterans on the upper levels and nodded upon seeing those who had attended before leaving.

  “What happens now?” Tucker asked, holding onto the rail with his head down.

  “We head to the armory and prepare our equipment. The rookies won’t be leaving so soon, but that’s different for us,” Alex pointed out.

  Tucker looked around and saw the veterans all leaving in the same direction. “Will we be fine?”

  “Depends on what you define as fine.” Alex moved towards the exit, with Tucker following closely behind. “The Empire has only grown stronger in the past few decades. There’s no telling what sort of preparations they’ve made throughout the years.”

  “Will we be able to win this time?”

  “As long as we perform.” Alex pushed the steel door open and looked over his shoulder. “For now, we need to prepare ourselves, and when I say this. I mean it. Potions, whetstones, smoke bombs, regular bombs, emergency first aid kits, and all the other trinkets.”

  Tucker nodded in response, entering the dimly lit stone corridor. But before they could go any further, a guard wearing dragon-scaled armor blocked their path. The guard stared at Alex and bowed his head. “Sir, the Head Administrator wishes to see you.”

  “The Head Administrator? What does he want from us?” Tucker asked.

  “I’m afraid I can’t tell you, for I do not know the reason. I was simply told to deliver the orders to Salamander,” the guard said.

  “Very well, we’ll head there now.” Alex lifted his cloak and prepared to remove his weapons but was soon stopped by the guard.

  “There is no need for that, sir. The Head Administrator instructed us that such precautions weren’t necessary.”

  “Ha…” Alex reluctantly lowered his cloak and left his dagger and sword there. It was natural to meet the Head Administrator unarmed, but it seemed like his old friend still didn’t care about such formalities. “Alright, lead us to him.”

  “Yes sir.” The guard nodded and escorted them towards the Head Administrator’s office.

  As they walked down the long, dimly lit hallway, their heavy footsteps and rattling armor echoed against the stone surfaces. A handful of iconic portraits decorated the pathway, some of who Tucker recognized. Yet, as he looked around, he noticed a row of empty frames. Each with a crossed out nameplate.

  “Are those…” Tucker’s words trailed off. He stopped in place, falling behind the group, but soon caught the old man’s attention.

  “Correct. They’re what you’re thinking of,” Alex answered, signaling the guard to wait as the group came to a halt.

  “But why are they still hung up? Shouldn’t they have been taken down?” Tucker asked.

  “Because they’re still a part of our Order’s history. Something we should look back and reflect on.” Alex’s eyes rested on the frames with a deep, lingering sadness. “Let’s keep moving. We don’t have time to waste right now with the Head Administrator waiting.”

  It was the first time Tucker had seen the veteran with such a heavy and distant gaze. He took one last look at the frames before following them. Leaving behind the empty frames of the first generation of administrators as they walked through the office doors.

  If he had to describe the decorations in the room with one word, it would be simple. There was nothing eye-catching or impressive on display, only bookshelves and a fragile wooden table that had long passed its time. Even from afar, Tucker could tell that the wood polish had run its course and had now faded to a rich patina with deep grooves and scratches. Once they were inside, the guards saluted them and closed the door, sealing the office.

  “I see you have arrived.”

  The Head Administrator’s voice entered Tucker’s ears, but looking around, no one else was in the room except for them. He tried focusing in the direction the voice came from, yet no matter how hard he tried, it was pointless.

  Is he invisible?

  “Close, but not quite greenhorn.” The Head Administer rose from the chair and stared at Alex. “It seems your new partner hasn’t experienced this technique before.”

  “He hasn’t seen much of the world yet, but he isn’t bad,” Alex commented, staring at his old friend, Dale, who seemed to nod in agreement.

  “That’s good to hear.” Dale brought his thumb and middle finger together as a snap cut through the air like a crisp crack. In an instant, the mist that distorted his presence vanished, revealing his figure. “After all, I have a task for you two—one that’ll let your rookie see more of the world and possibly determine the outcome of this war.”

  Honestly, I think it's possible to release 5x a week, but I feel like the quality dropped drastically.

  Ah, I have no clue. I struggled even trying to make the Head Administrator's speech.

  Instead I'll let you guys decide through the poll I added.

  Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed and I'll cya in the next one!

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  Were The Chapters Good Quality This Week For 5x?