[Ch.X] The Magical Council

[Hitotsumami]

The Magical Council.

It is the ruling body of magic. A group of mages so powerful they have full control over all of the magic world. They keep the magic flow in check, making sure the balance remains, and the world stays whole.

However, times are changing. Growing forces are appearing. Even with the Magical Council, can the magical world stay under control? Or is the Magical Council even the heroes they are portrayed to be?

A meeting is about to began in the city of Era. A meeting to change the fate of the world.

---

Astral Lance stood in one of the side hallways of the Magical Council HQ. A dark figure stood across from him. Astral grinned, nodding.

"Don't worry about it," he said, waving his hand nonchalantly. "Look where I am? I've made it to Rank 3 in the Magical Council and no one suspects a thing."

The figure seemed to speak, but only Astral heard what he had to say.

Astral nodded, half frowning. "Yeah, I'll keep an eye on that. I take it you're going after that guy? You can't just leave the past behind, can you? Well, it's your life. As long as you remember who the boss is, right?"

The figure nodded, and then he set off down the hallway. He'd be gone before anyone saw him.

"That Pollux," said Astral Lance, shaking his head. "What kind of crazy world did I get myself into."

---

Astral Lance then entered into the grand hall where the Magical Council had their meetings. It was a huge, round room with a round table located near the far left. The room was half open to the sky, revealing the sun far ahead and having a great view of the forest and town below and the mountains in the distance.

Astral walked over to the table and found his seat. Number 3. He sat down and kicked his feet up on the table.

At the moment, he was the only one there.

"Well when are the others gonna show up? Not even number 1 is here yet? Heh, this place is a joke."

[CJ]

"A joke," a fragile voice emerged from the silence. "I know a joke."

A small, elderly woman faded into existence in the fifth seat, just a seat away from Astral Lance. She wore a white dress with a massively large pink brooch of a prancing pony. The man would know, like many others, of her "Illusion Make" magic. Her seat transformed into a royal, pink and glittering throne.

"What is the only animal that sleeps with its shoes on?" she asked cutely. "A horse, of course! All jokes aside, I hope this is your only priority for you today, Lance. I'll let you in on a little secret. A young man like you wouldn't have any problem with the ladies."

Eliza Anthony, once known as Pony Love of the lost guild Fable, seemed to be entirely disconnected to the world in her later years. She said "Lance" as though it was another normal name. She took out several pieces of paper from an invisible bag at her side and started to make origami horses.

[Sprite]

As Eliza and Astral Lance began settling down at the table, a third member of the council walked into the meeting hall. Seeming something like a cross between a mummy and a truck driver, Brad Runic strolled in, his shoes squeaking on the smooth tile floor of the hall. As per usual, the enigmatic council member was completely silent, and had his giant sword resting on his shoulder.

The giant blade was wrapped in harnesses and straps of leather, as well as bandages. Only the bright red hilt was visible, gripped easily in Runic's hand as he strolled to the table. He nodded to Lance and Eliza in greeting.

"Mmmfhmhm."

Taking his seat marked with a '10', Brand seemed to lean back in his seat and promptly dozed off, a small bubble issuing from his nose to indicate his comatose state.

"...Say...."

The mature feminine voice echoed around the silent meeting hall. The source of the voice would be unknown to everyone but those who knew where to look.

"Take your feet off the table this instant, young man! Eliza, sit up straight! Stop playing with your paper! And you..."

Straps and bandages had begun to peel and fall off the giant blade resting at Brad's side. As the last bandage fell to the floor, the giant decorative ruby blade was revealed. At the bottom of the blade where the sword was widest and meeting the crossguard, a large mouth with pearly white teeth and ruby red lips to match with the material of the blade had appeared. It was from the mouthed sword that the nagging remarks came shooting out like bullets from a gatling gun. Now addressing the sleeping Brad, the sword reared up like a snake and promptly slapped the bandaged councilman with its hilt. The pommel had morphed into a small red hand that gestured and pointed at the startled Brad as the nagging continued.

"No sleeping on the job!"

[Shark a' Pult]

An armored figure sat a ways removed from the meeting hall, reading a book. A holy tome to be precise, which he seemed thoroughly immersed in. With sword and shield at his side, the would-be knight certainly looked the part. In truth there was a reason he was here and he knew what was going on, but he was in no hurry.

The meeting had not officially started yet, so there was no need for him to be there yet. As well, he simply did not wish to arrive at the determined location itself early, despite being not all that far away. When the time was proper he would join the others. Until then, he sat and read. Something of a difficult feat at that, as it was hard to maintain a delicate touch with metal gauntlets.

[newb23]

Mark made his way down the hallway his footsteps echoing loudly against the empty corridor. Soon he came upon the door to the meeting room and threw it open. A smile spread across his face, showcasing the razor sharp teeth in his mouth. His blonde hair bounced and swayed as he made his way to his chair marked with a large number one. Seating himself comfortably he scanned the room, taking in each individual that was there. “Now where the fuck is the rest of the council?” Mark asked, his voice booming around the room. Placing his head in his hand Mark sighed. “This-this is just so pathetic. I mean do we even have a full membership?” Getting up from his chair Mark started to wonder around the room.

“This council use to be huge. I mean people feared the council and back then it was mostly older farts who sent the young ones out to do their bidding,” Mark said as he shook his head. “No offense love,” Mark stated as he turned his attention to Eliza. “Guess it can’t be helped. Maybe they are all just late.”

Moving around the table Mark placed himself behind Lance. Placing his hand upon the man’s shoulder Mark smiled at him. “You know what makes this council great? Trust, Lance, trust. Oh yes. Every guild that is built is built on the foundation of one thing. Trust. You must trust those you work with no? If you can’t it all falls apart.” As Mark spoke his grip on Lance’s shoulder began to tighten and a small glow of yellow energy formed around his hand. A cracking noise could be heard as the bones in Lance’s shoulder began to break. “Now I know I can trust you. Can’t I?”

Removing his hand from Lance’s shoulder, Mark made his way back to his own chair. Sitting back down Mark cast a smile across the table at the individuals there. “Now let’s talk about what we are really here to talk about….does anybody know what we are here to talk about?”

[Hitotsumami]

Lance felt Mark's hand on his shoulder and cringed at the feeling. Out of all the people in the Magical Council, Mark was one of his least favorite. Not only was he higher ranking, he didn't know the meaning of personal space.

"Trust is shit," said Lance, ignoring the others who were entering the meeting room. Especially with Brad. He kept his feet on the table. "I'm here to do my job, which is to keep the magic of the world in order. I don't expect you can handle that job alone. I have my own part to play so you do what you need to and I'll do what I need to."

Lance then looked around. So far Brad, Eliza, Mark and himself were present. Only four our of the ten councilmen...

The door then shot open and there entered a stranger. He wore a huge black top hat, one that easily almost reached the ceiling. A cigar sat between his lips and a thick eyeglass stood in front of his left eye. He wore a fine suit and walked with a cane, limping forward past the others. As he walked, the others might feel an eerie mist cover their bodies, but as soon as he would pass it would fade away.

The man went to the final chair, one labeled "ZERO". He jumped in and looked over the four councilmen who had shown up.

"Only this many," said the man, shaking his head. "Before times began to change, there was a respect amongst the council. But that isn't why were are here to talk, is it? As you know, I am Sir Francisco, the chairman of the council, and you should be quite aware of my magic. Start a fight and I will not be forgiving."

He took a big puff of his cigar then sat it in a nearby ashtray. "Now, let's get down to business. Sources tell us that in Fiore, something interesting has returned. A hundred year old legend seems to have resurrected from the grave with vengeance."

Sir Francisco looked around. "Know who it is? If you have done your magical history research, you'd know. Fable! But they seem to have renamed themselves into Renascence. What part of that guild is still the original, I am not sure, but I do know that it is the exact same guild, just as dangerous as the old one."

He paused a moment, collecting his thoughts, and continued. "A hundred years ago Fable disbanded after saving one of their mages, Castor, from this exact room. However, that was not their last mission. Fable came back together, teamed up with the Oracion Seis, but that mission was never completed. Something happened, and to this day we still do not know. All of the Fable mages and all of the Oracion Seis have vanished. Except one."

Sir Francisco looked over to Astral Lance. "The lone survivor of the event one hundred years ago. Yet you claim you remember nothing. You were once part of an evil and dangerous group, yet now you fight for the balance of magic."

Astral Lance shrugged. "I saw some pretty bad things in my day. I almost destroyed Fable myself once, if it wasn't for that Saturn guy. Yeah, I teamed up with them once. We were going on a mission to stop a mage who was threatening to use the sun to destroy the world. Don't ask me what happened, though. I woke up one day and here I was, one hundred years in the future, with a different perspective."

Sir Francisco looked at Lance speculatively, then continued. "The point remains: Fable, now known as Renascence, has returned. What we need to do is determine what we should do with this new Guild. Any suggestions?"

[newb23]

Mark smiled at Lance’s comment about trust. He was about to say something when the door swung open and entered the man with the top hat. The very recognizable top hat. Mark hated that top hat. To him it represented the one man he didn’t really wish to cross. Though it didn’t usually stop him from making his crude comments he was still careful about actually fighting with his fellow Council members when the man was around where otherwise he would have been inclined to leap over the table and tear into Lance. Sitting back in his seat Mark watched as Sir Francisco walked to his chair and felt that very familiar chilling air that surrounded number zero.

He sat quietly as Sir Francisco talked about the new guild that was once an old guild wildly known to many. Smiling Mark listened to every word the gentlemen spoke and even sat quietly as Lance made his comments. Finally Sir Francisco asked the question that Mark hoped he was going to ask. “I say we let ‘em do what they do best if they really are a resurrected Fable. Raise hell!” Mark somewhat shouted at the others. “I mean I’ve already heard that they had a little scuffle with that Atrum guild, if you can call that place a guild. Oh my I can’t wait to see the chaos that will ensue. Especially with Elrond leading the pack.”

Mark got up from his chair and started pacing a bit. It seemed he was getting excited over the idea of this Resonance guild making trouble. “I mean if they start some shit we might finally get to do something than just sit here all goddamn day and talk. Well I mean us talk and Brad muffle. Though I guess his fucking sword does most of his talking don’t it. But I mean you all can’t be contempt just sitting here. We might actually be able to see shit happen for once. Just like back in the old days. The days that Lance can’t seem to remember. The days where he was just a big pile of steaming shit. Well I mean he still is but now he plays for our side.” Yellow energy began to encase Mark’s hand as he moved more feverishly between his chair and the wall.

“For god sakes people we might see some violence and mischief that this world has needed for a long ass time. So I say we watch ‘em. Watch what they do. Oh yeah. Ooooh it’ll be fun. I mean of course we keep them in line a little just like the Council use to do with Fable but wouldn’t it be nice to see them duke it out with some other guilds like in the olden days. I mean Lance you can’t sit there and tell me with a straight face that you don’t miss the days where you could exchange blows with your brother. I mean I can honestly say that I somewhat miss my guild days. Oh those were fun.” Gripping the back of his chair Mark began to rock back and forth on his heels and toes. Finally the backing of his chair shattered from the immense grip that Mark had on it. Letting the dust fall from his hand Mark sighed. “Ah fuck I broke another one.”

[Shark a' Pult]

"How can you know that it is the exact same guild and that it is just as dangerous as before, if it has only just formed?"

Having heard the doors to the meeting hall slam open several times in the last few minutes, the knight thought it an appropriate time to make his way over to the meeting. Of course being armored subtlety was not his strong point, but while it was unlikely that anyone would have missed his entrance to the room, he made no effort to join the others or announce his presence. He just stood by the door, away from all the unpredictable and bothersome personages seated about the table.

"As you said yourself, there are none left alive today whom were involved with Fable, and this lot doesn't even share the name. Surely these sensationalist claims are not all valid?"

The fellow did not bother to shut the doors, in case other people were yet to arrive.

[Mise™]

"Mr. Gotch, I assume we are in time." A very beautiful man, dressed in classy (and expensive) attire and carrying a glass of red wine, spoke to a man following him, whose name was apparently Gotch.

Mr. Gotch was a butler, there wasn't a whole lot special about him, he was your average butler and nothing really stood out about him other than his advanced age and his glorious mustache, which was his pride and joy.

"Yes, sir. We are exactly on time. The meeting is scheduled to start in 23 seconds." Gotch replied to his master, while looking at a golden pocket watch he had.

"Splendid." The beautiful man spoke as he entered the room where the magic council were holding a meeting. As he entered the room the man bowed and greeted those who were already present: "Good day, ladies and gentlemen." His voice was very soothing and calm, almost hypnotic; this man certainly was very charismatic.

The man walked a bit further and sat at the darkest corner in the room, which really wasn't that dark during daytime like this. In front of his seat was a sign that had the number two on it. The name of this man was lord Lafite Penfold he was rank number two of the magic council and also a famous, successful and wealthy businessman and that was quite an understatement, he was one of the richest and most well known men in the country. Like a shadow Mr. Gotch followed lord Penfold, despite being clearly there it was quite hard to notice him he really was just like a shadow. Mr. Golch was a true professional; always there by his master's side when needed, but never getting in his way.

Lord Penfold listened to the chairman share the news about the new guild that had appeared. News usually reached him fast, but this was something even Penfold hadn't heard yet. It was truly quite amazing how the chairman was able to hold a meeting of such a matter on such a short notice.

"These news are truly fascinating, Mr. chairman. However like Mr. Laurent said what makes you think it is the same guild from before? If it has different name and correct me if I am wrong, but it would appear that this 'Renascence' does not even have any of the members from Fable? So how are the two related?" Lord Penfold asked.

"While I do not exactly agree with everything Mr. Nightingale says I do think he has the right idea. I believe we should just watch what this Renascence is up to and just leave them alone for now, unless something alarming comes up." Penfold spoke, then took a sip of wine and then continued: "However maybe some of us should go personally and take look at this Renascence and see what they are up to."

"Mr. Gotch, I think we should offer everyone here some refreshments. Do you have any suggestions?" Lord Penfold asked his butler.

"Sir, may I suggest your new brand of wine." Mr. Gotch said presenting a bottle to Lord Penfold. The bottle read PeIX, quite an unusual label.

"An excellent idea. Please serve everyone a glass, Mr. Gotch." Penfold said and then turned to the other councilmen. "Everyone, please enjoy this glass of wine I'm offering. It has been made in my winery and even I have to accept myself that it's taste is truly excellent. In fact it is what I am drinking today."

Now Mr. Gorch walked around the room offering everyone a glass of PeIX, however if anyone wished so they could refuse.

[CJ]

"I suppose if you think I should sit up straighter," Eliza hummed in response to Brad's sword, "I suppose I shall."

She seemed not too concerned over the talking blade's suggestion or of its very existence. A brief sparkle of magic brushed over Eliza's form and she suddenly was very straight in her chair. Close analysis would indicate she was merely using her magic to make it look like she was sitting up.

"No offense taken," Eliza said sweetly as Mark addressed the group.

As discussions began, the older woman continued to fold the origami horses. One would think the very mention of the beginning of her career would have incited some visible reaction from her. However, she kept to folding the paper creations. She was even unfazed from Sir Francisco's entrance previously. Her magic was influencing some other appearances about her it seemed.

"Excuse me," Eliza finally spoke up with a warm smile in response to the knight's comment of "none left alive." "Now, I would like everyone to understand Fable was not an evil or destructive guild. They were simply misguided, which could be considered as dangerous if not more so. I know I certainly was as a young child in those days.

"If this Renascence is truly Fable's successor, it will be mean the will of my former master Validus Vir is somehow involved. We should take an appropriate action to determine whether or not this is the case."

The origami horses began to move on the table. They pranced about in a carousel fashion, leaping and dancing as they went. The smallest of the horses stood on the outside of the circle and held its head low and walked slowly away until it fell tragically from the table.

"If these men and woman are an individual guild of their own, I suggest we leave them to their own devices. If they truly follow in Fable's footsteps, however, they should be regulated as soon as possible."

[Hitotsumami]

Lance listened while the others were talking and chose to stay silent for now. If he could avoid getting caught up in the action, all the better for him. He wasn't interested in getting involved with Fable again anyway. He had his own plans.

Sir Francisco, however, listened carefully to each member's opinion. He first answered Laurent, who had arrived somewhat late but obviously had overheard what they were talking about already. "Yes, it's a good question, but I know that it is the old Fable. For one, the guild is physically completely the same as it was the day they disbanded. The only change is to the name on the outside. Secondly, the Guild Master is the descendant of Validus Vir himself. We've also tracked that one named Jupiter also descends from one of the powerful Fable mages, Saturn."

"Saturn?" asked Lance, gaining interest. Of all the mages he had met during his time with Fable, Saturn was the most interesting. He was the only one who went against his lightning power without fear. "Interesting."

"Indeed it is," said Sir Francisco. "I believe this is enough evidence to show that this is the same Fable the Magical Council fought against over one hundred years ago."

He then answered the others questions. "And I completely agree that this new Guild should be heavily regulated. So much so that I say we go with Penfold's idea. If anything, we should at least send a group to see what they are up to and who they really are. Any volunteers?"

[newb23]

Mark had moved from his broken chair and was now standing at one of the archways that over looked the vast landscape. He seemed to be focused on something. Something distant that the others wouldn’t be able to see. But somehow he noticed it. He smelt in the air and felt in his bones. The hair on his arms were standing on end. Smiling he knew something interesting was happening and he knew it had to do with the guild they were currently talking about.

He was snapped back into the meeting when it was asked who would like to go and investigate the new guild. Smiling even more Mark spun on his heels and stared straight at the head of the council. “I’d like to go. I have an old friend I would like to visit. I’m also sure that Lance might like to go on this venture with me. See that old guild he use to do battle with. I also think that we might have to intervene in something and as much as I hate to admit this Lance seems like he might be good in scuffle.” Turning back towards the archway and sniffed. “Oh yes I do believe we are going to have to intervene.”

[Hitotsumami]

Sir Francisco nodded towards Mark.

"If this is really Fable, then it would be wise to send our strongest member there. However, you shall not go alone. Who else wishes to join Mark to visit Renascence?"

Astral Lance suddenly stood up and shook his head. "Not me. I'm interested, but I have other things to do right now. You guys have fun. I'm out." With that, Astral Lance ignored all the other councilmen and left the meeting room in silence.