"The Gate of Soulles Ruin!?" King Auremis said, barely able to keep his cool, judging by how he snapped his head to look at High Scholar Emiris, who chuckled, pointing at his face before laughing out loud, as King Auremis also laughed in return.
"You got me there for a second, father..." King Auremis said, as High Scholar Emiris shook his head.
"You, Auremis," he suddenly called, as King Auremis turned to him.
"You are the one who has gotten softer after the war," he said, as King Auremis' eyes flashed.
"It's just the Gate of Soulles Ruin, Father. That was what we all used to fear. It's a punishment ground, Father—one where most Silverunicare lost."
"Have you forgotten the truths around it, Auremis?" High Scholar Emirss asked.
"It is said that a sinner should be cast into the Gate of Soulless Ruin. If they are indeed innocent, then they shall come back in one piece, and those who deserve to be punished will lose themselves within," King Auremis said before he shook his head.
"But we both know, Father. That so-called rule is but a lie after all. The Soulless Ruin is difficult. A world more difficult as one goes up the floors."
"Those who return only return because of their strength and the fact that they were sent to the lower floors," he said, as High Scholar Emirs chuckled.
"Send the kids into it, Auremis," High Scholar Emirs said, King Auremis locking eyes with his father and finding no humor light in his eyes at all—which meant he was truly dead serious.
"But Father..."
"Place a Teleportation Rune on the entrance to the third gate of the Soulles Ruin. That's low enough. If they made their way through the second gate and reached the footsteps of the third gate, then that is enough to mark them as defenders. Isn't that right, Auremis..." High Scholar Emirs said, as King Auremis' eyes shook before he exhaled deeply.
"The third level is manageable for Guardians and truly enough to test them. You're right, Father," King Auremis said, as Emiris nodded before he added:
"Announce this to the kingdom. And also add that all those who return will be allowed into the Soulfull Ruin of Niagara," he said, as King Auremis' eyes flashed in shock.
"The Soulfull Ruin of Niagara!? That is one of our race's most respected grounds. The secret source of our Aetheris power," King Auremis said as his eyes flashed.
The ruin mentioned was what made their Silverunic race so strong—but not only that. It was what made them capable of turning from a race about to be destroyed in war to a race that would come to rule the entire world."
"I understand, Auremis."
"But Father... the strength required to open those gates? I'm afraid only you have such monumental power. But even you will be quite drained after that," he said, as High Scholar Emiris smiled.
"It's okay, Auremis. A simple gate wouldn't render me unable to stand on my feet, and now is the era of peace. I won't need my strength now."
"Why not temporarily give it to the kids instead?"
"All the Average Silverunic Soldiers that emerge from the Soulless Ruin will be tested harder than the kids of the ancient past."
"But in return, they would get even more reward than the past Defenders."
"After their visit to the Ruin they would grow even stronger—and who knows? Perhaps your daughters will one day be able to stand toe-to-toe with me in terms of potential."
"Even if they don't, I would at least be confident of true protectors in the future."
"Truly, we might be in the era of peace now, but it won't hurt to leave future protectors down in case."
"After all, the darkness only hides away. It never truly leaves, does it?" he said with a smile, as King Auremis nodded his head.
"Very well, Father. The news will be announced. All the preparations will be made, and the children will undergo their test in the next week," he said, as High Scholar Emiris nodded.
"Then that is done, Auremis," he said, as silence settled above the balcony before suddenly—
RIIIIIIIIIIIPPPLLLLLLLEEE
A bizarre ripple suddenly surged from the distance as both King Auremis and High Scholar Emiris instinctively turned their heads toward the dark distance, silvery light flashing from the depth of their eyes.
"The Void is being pierced at very fast speed... but in a rotatory motion? Is one of the Guardians training?" King Auremis mused under his breath, but then his eyes narrowed.
"But that direction?"
"That is the direction of the Royalty Children Training area. Why would a Guardian be training there?"
"Perhaps I should check it out..." he said as he rose from the balcony and prepared to move, only for a hand to rise up as High Scholar Emiris stopped him.
"Leave it to me, Auremis. I will check—and hopefully, I get to exercise a bit! Hahaha!" he said, and in the next instant—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
The building that both of them stood on suddenly tilted to the side as King Auremis watched as a silvery light tore into the void and disappeared in less than a blink, bringing along with it a powerful ripple of space.
In an instant, his father had disappeared.
"Even after so many years... you're still the same monster, Father," King Auremis said as his hand stretched toward the ripples in the distance, a silvery aura blooming out of his hands.
Silvery runes clung quickly and neatly forward and began repairing the ripples in the space, returning it to what they once were.
"I just hope you don't cause too much chaos with your exercise..." He added chuckling at the thought of his father causing chaos in their sacred ground, before he walked away, climbing down the stairs and disappearing back into the Royal Palace.
___________
"Hmmmmmmm," a bizarre hum rang out softly through the clouds, coming from none other than High Scholar Emiris, whose eyes flashed with silvery light as he looked at the scene below him.
The scene of rupturing space in a circular line, as something revolved around blazing with intense before they finally came to a stop, collapsing on both knees while heaving out loudly.
"Interesting..."