The next day, Atticus woke early and began his usual routine. The room was silent except for the faint hum of spiritual energy as he meditated, sharpening his Omnicognition and refining his spiritual eye. He still remembered the conversation he had with his parents the day before and he couldn't help but frown.
Still, his focus remained razor sharp, time slipping by unnoticed until he felt a familiar presence approaching his door.
With a sigh, he stood up. "Come in," he said, just as the person outside raised a hand to knock.
The door creaked open slowly, revealing Arya. She hesitated in the doorway, frozen for a moment before steadying herself and stepping inside.
"Young master," she said softly, bowing formally.
"Arya." Atticus smiled, saying her name as though testing her reaction.
She glanced at him briefly before looking away, fidgeting uncomfortably.
Atticus's gaze didn't waver. "Have you been avoiding me?"
Arya stiffened. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. The silence was heavy, tense.
Atticus took a step forward.
Arya instinctively backed away, her feet shuffling against the polished floor. He moved closer, and she retreated again, until her back hit the wall.
Her breathing quickened as his glowing purple eyes bore into hers.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
Arya bit her lower lip, her fists clenching at her sides. She tried to respond, but the overwhelming aura radiating from Atticus pinned her in place.
Memories of the past flashed in her mind. She remembered standing beside him years ago, promising, 'I'll protect you.'
But now?
Now he was stronger, unfathomably so. The gap between them was insurmountable. Who was she to protect him? She felt weak. Useless. A knot tightened in her chest, but she couldn't admit the truth. What would he say?
"I wasn't avoiding you, young master," she said quickly. "I've been attending to my lady. She overexerted herself looking after you."
Atticus stared at her, unmoved.
Now that he was in the First Fold, Awareness, he could sense a lie before it was even spoken. Arya was lying.
But he let it go.
"Alright." He nodded. "So, what's up?"
Arya exhaled quietly, relieved. "My lady asked me to inform you. The delegates are in the meeting room. They're waiting for you."
Atticus sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. I'll be there soon."
Arya bowed again and left the room.
Atticus walked into his bathroom to freshen up, letting the cold water wash over him. When he stepped out, he dressed simply, nothing elaborate or flashy.
As he reached for the door, Ozeroth's voice echoed in his mind.
"What do you plan on doing?"
Atticus didn't flinch. "I'm sure you can read my mind."
There was a pause, then loud, booming laughter that seemed to reverberate through his entire being.
"I approve! I approve!" Ozeroth bellowed. "I love seeing this!"
Atticus's expression turned cold, unreadable. Then, without another word, he stepped out.
…
In an expansive hall, tension filled the air.
The delegates of various races sat around a circular table, each exuding overwhelming power. Their distinct features set them apart, different skin tones, glowing eyes, sharp claws, or otherworldly auras.
The air trembled under the weight of their combined presence.
At one end of the table sat Avalon, Anastasia, and a few Ravenstein elders. They were calm, observing the restless delegates with measured expressions.
The delegates, however, were anything but calm.
Frowns marred their faces as their auras fluctuated wildly, rising like crashing waves. The tension in the room was suffocating.
They had been waiting for over a month to meet Atticus. Many had tried to force the humans' hand, only to be denied time and time again. Now, finally given their chance, they were being made to wait again.
The superior races, in particular, were furious.
The lower races, who had initially joined the meeting to confirm the rumors about Atticus, had long since left. They lacked the authority to stand against the mid and superior races and knew they had no voice here.
But the mid and superior races had stayed behind, refusing to leave the human domain. Their pride wouldn't allow it.
For them, this wasn't just about meeting Atticus. It was about proving their dominance.
They refused to leave because they couldn't accept that the humans would dare defy them. They were superior, how could the humans refuse their demands and expect them to leave without achieving their goals?
Their pride wouldn't allow it.
But now, their patience had worn thin.
"He's late," the Dimensari delegate growled, his frown deepening.
The Vampyros delegate followed, his voice sharp and cutting. "This is unacceptable. To keep us waiting like this, disrespectful, even for an apex."
Avalon's expression remained calm, though his fingers twitched against the table. Anastasia frowned slightly but stayed silent. The elders exchanged glances, all of them acutely aware of the rising tension.
The delegates' irritation was unwarranted, they had only just arrived, barely a minute ago. Yet, it was obvious that they disdained the very idea of being kept waiting by a human.
'Now I'm wishing I let Lyanna attend,' Avalon thought to himself.
He had insisted that Lyanna stay out of this meeting, knowing full well that her blunt and cold demeanor made her the worst choice for a diplomatic situation. Lyanna never tolerated arrogance and always spoke her mind, regardless of the consequences.
But Lyanna and many others were still deeply interested in how the meeting would unfold.
In the main control room of the Ravenstein estate, Lyanna, Sirius, Nathan, and dozens of family members watched the live feed with rapt attention.
Lyanna's knuckles were white as she gripped the armrest of her chair. "Pretentious bastards," she hissed under her breath.
"Easy, Lyanna," Sirius said, though his jaw was clenched. "Avalon told us to let it go."
The room was cold, not from the air but from the icy gazes of the Ravensteins watching. Even those who weren't hot-tempered like Lyanna shared the same sentiment. These delegates had entered their domain and acted with blatant disrespect.