The Supreme Constitution of Astrovia, ARTICLE I

  Section 3: Sessions and Leadership

  The Council shall convene in a General Session once every solar cycle. The location of this session shall rotate alphabetically among the member continents. Emergency Sessions may be called immediately upon the detection of a Calamity-Class threat. The Representative of the host continent shall serve as the Chairperson, possessing the authority to set the agenda and maintain order.

  ***

  Loud.

  Deafening.

  For a space that was suddenly devoid of sound, it was louder than the murmurs and car honks coming from the busy city itself. The Captains' silence screamed more words than the individuals on the streets of Metreona.

  And after a few minutes of nothing but exchange of inhales and exhales, a voice emanated from the least expected to speak first.

  "Uhm... Isn't that too... Extreme?" Orion raised his head slightly. "I mean, shouldn't that be reserved for something more... Dire. Not that I'm saying the current situation is nothing to worry much about."

  Orion's voice was like a sword that cut through the grass blocking the path to speech for the other captains.

  "He's right, Captain Zenon." Isadora shifted her gaze to Zenon, a worrisome look etched onto her face. Her hands were clasped tightly on the table. "Such a decision seems too forward. It borders on aggression."

  "If we don't take care, we might just make more enemies," Jaxon added.

  "Exactly," The red-haired Captain, Ignis, slammed her fist onto the table—not enough to break it, but enough to send a ripple of heat through the air. "I hate to sound harsh, but this is none of their concern."

  They all began to speak but still exercised caution. Not because they were scared, but because the moment Zenon announced his decision they all realized one thing.

  The summoning of the leaders of other continents was something that only happened once annually, and Zenon was not the kind to make hasty decisions. Which was why they all knew, for him to make such a move, Zenon was currently furious beyond comparison.

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  But even still, they had to acknowledge the possible consequences of his actions and hold him accountable.

  "That's where you're all wrong," Zenon responded with a level tone. "Their incompetence is what put us in this position in the first place."

  He glanced at Emilia and she immediately picked up on it. She tapped her fingers on the surface of the table like she was typing on a keyboard and in response holographic displays of six portraits flew up.

  Each of them carried images of Kai and his accomplices. Underneath the images were typed information on their backgrounds.

  "The Intel we got revealed that most of them are highly wanted criminals in other continents," Zenon lifted his elbows off the edges of the table. "All except Kai who was previously a resident of Metreona."

  He flicked his finger, spinning one of the floating images to face Ignis directly.

  "There's a chance it's nothing big," Emilia leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. "Afterall, if this was some kind of grand plan, they wouldn't let their backgrounds leak so easily."

  "But then..." She sighed, her eyes sharpening. "Even if that's not the case, because those other nations were unable to keep their rabid dogs on a leash, it became our problem."

  "And now we've lost 3 major..." Jaxon chimed in and trailed off like someone lost in contemplation.

  He didn't finish his sentence but they were already all aware of where he was going. They were thinking the same thing.

  A group of criminals attacking in a situation where they were able to take out The King of Hell, the first daughter of the valerion family, and the soul destroyer. A heavy damage dealt to their military strength.

  "Those bastards," Kaelen chuckled low in his throat, a sound more akin to a growl. "So they decided to work together."

  "Let's not jump to conclusions yet," Zenon exhaled heavily. "It's all hypothetical, however such concerns can't just be waved off. Now do we understand why I called the meeting?"

  "Wait," Titus' head snapped at him as if remembering something important suddenly. "Are the elders aware of this?"

  "They're in full support," Zenon responded. "The year's almost at an end and we are the scheduled hosts for this year's meeting so it all came together quite well."

  "But wouldn't this be grounds for a war?" Starla sighed, placing her palm against her cheek in concern. "Just thinking about all the bloodshed—"

  "Shut up, you psycho bitch," Silas cut her off. "Why do you always think about bloodshed so quickly. It's like you're excited."

  "Excuse me?" Starla dropped the worried act instantly. "I'm just being a concerned citizen, Silas. Unlike someone who smells like a wet rag."

  She crossed her arms and turned away. "Hmph."

  "She has a point about the smell, Silas," Kaelen sniffed the air and grinned, revealing sharp canines. "Should've washed off the sweat before coming."

  "But honestly, Starla is also right about the bloodshed."

  "I have a different question," Atticus, the Captain of Squad 11, spoke up. He adjusted his glasses, looking at the holographic data with analytical precision.

  "This incident happened mere hours ago. Yet, we have full dossiers on their criminal histories from across the ocean."

  Atticus tapped the table. "Was beginning to wonder why the Captain of Squad 12 isn't here?"

  Zenon raised his hand, cutting off the chatter. The room fell silent instantly.

  "Like I said, it is all hypothetical for now," Zenon said, his voice dropping, resonating in the room. "But if the pieces fit the way I think they do..."

  He looked at each Captain in turn, his gaze heavy.

  "Then another Great War is about to take place."

  "And this time," Zenon continued, his eyes glowing with a terrifying intensity. "I have a feeling it's going to be worse than anything we've experienced so far."