There was absolute silence as the messenger spoke. Nobody, not even the empire's delegation, dared interrupt their host's representative.
"My role here today is to act as a mediator and ensure the neutrality of Tradespire is not breached," the messenger announced, sweeping their eyes over all parties. "We don't want any part in this conflict and do not intend to take sides. Therefore, any intentional violations of the peace will have grave consequences — for yourselves, your families, and your countries. Do you all agree to those terms?"
In turn, each of the groups consented. Even Zeke was asked, though the idea of him attacking anybody here was laughable, considering the difference in strength.
After getting everybody's agreement, the messenger nodded. "Excellent. Now, I think it would only be fair to hear from Seraven first. After all, we have gathered here by the seer's words."
A hooded figure stood from their group and bowed to everyone present. "Greetings, honored ambassadors. My name is Venus Morrow. I have been chosen by the All-Seeing-Eye and the Omnicient-Voice to speak for Seraven today."
Even while addressing the crowd, the person did not remove her cowl, and not a single part of their face was visible. However, compared to the messenger, they spoke with a melodious, clearly female voice.
"Since time immemorial, we seers have always tried to be conscious of our role. The ability to perceive the future is not a burden we take lightly. No matter the scale of the war, we have never gotten involved in any conflict between nations. Only for the gravest of disasters, such as the Grand quake, the World breach, the—"
"We don't need a lesson in history, girly! Get to the point!" somebody yelled.
Slap!
An ear-splitting noise silenced the murmurs that had started to emerge. Everyone's head snapped to the source of the sound. There, they found Messenger with their palms flat on the podium. "I don't mind a debate, but will not tolerate any acts of blatant disrespect and there will be no second warning for you, Mr. Raja. You will be removed from the hall if you interrupt the proceedings again. Now, if you would please continue, Miss Fortuna."
"…Yes, of course," the woman said. "I won't bore you with the details of our history any longer, but I urge you to consider the point I was making. We, the seers, have never before gotten involved in matters of war, so I hope that you'll be able to grasp the gravity of this decision. Today, for the first time ever, we break this ancient tradition and warn of the dangers of this coming conflict. Behold the words of the Voice."
With a flick of her hand, her right index finger started to glow. In a practiced manner, Venus started to write. Line after line — her finger served as a pen, leaving luminous words floating in midair. After finishing, she pointed outward, causing the block of text to enlarge as it floated to the front of the hall, visible to everyone.
From centuries of slumber, the elements four,
Shall rise from the depths, and claim their lore,
Their power unrivaled, their fury unbound,
Consuming the radiance, without a sound.
The legions of plenty shall fall to their might,
Their screams of anguish drowned out in the fight,
They all shall perish, their blood on the ground,
A sacrifice in vain, as chaos, abounds.
So this was it, the infamous prophecy. Zeke could understand why Albert and Lara had been worried. If those words came to be true, their countries would suffer. They might even fall. But the more interesting question was: Why had the Seers broken with their tradition? From what Zeke could tell, this didn't seem to be much different from any other war before it.
The empire tried to expand its western borders as it always had.
The Western nations fought back, as they always had.
What was it about this future that had the seers worried enough to break with tradition? Zeke didn't see anything that would justify this decision. From his point of view, the prophecy foretold of a swift victory for the empire. How was that of any concern to the seers? There was definitely something he was missing.
Otto Geistreich stood, waiting for the mediator's acknowledgment before speaking. After a quick nod, he addressed the woman. "Miss Fortuna, the empire has always had the greatest respect for the hard work of the seers. For centuries, you have made sure that no great disaster would befall the human race. And during all this time, the empire has gone out of its way to accommodate your demands, but I am sure you understand that we are skeptical about your claims this time."
Venus nodded in acknowledgment. "The empire has always been an ally to us seers and our cause. I believe that it is because of our amicable relationship that you can trust that we would never utter such a warning to spite the empire. We wish your nation nothing but success."
Otto's brows furrowed. He did not look convinced. "I beg your pardon, but this is not enough. Unlike your previous prophecies, you don't seem to be warning against any apparent threat this time. There have been hundreds of wars just like this before. If anything, the prophecy seems to describe a rather successful campaign."
Instead of the Seer, somebody else replied. Lara stood, glaring at Otto with a fire and hatred Zeke had never seen on her face before. "Can't you see? It is you — you and your rotten kin the prophecy warns about. Every foot of land you take is a step closer to destruction — every victory you achieve is one step closer to disaster. Your casual disregard for the deaths your war will cause says enough. What more proof do you need than this prophecy?"
"As always, you are quick to misrepresent the facts, Ms. Sonnenstrahl," Otto replied with a shake of his head. "Let's not forget that the empire sought peace, while you chose war. How many thousands of lives have your fruitless and misguided invasions cost over the centuries?"
"Bold claims," Lara sneered. "But you can save your breath, snake. Most of us have been alive long enough to remember the truth. Or do I have to remind you of the facts? It was your filthy empire who ambushed us without any declaration, proper procedure, or honor! And by the time the dust had settled, you had taken half our lands. And now you talk about seeking peace? There would have been peace if you returned our lands!"
Otto shook his head. "Those claims might have been relevant once, but the world did not stand still over the past centuries, Miss Sonnenstrahl. Those lands ceased to be part of your countries long ago. Generation upon generation of simple folk have come and gone, and nobody even remembers what used to be. For them, what you are doing is no different from an invasion."
"How convenient for you," she mocked. "Just wait for everybody to forget before doing the same thing over and over again — taking the world one bite at a time. I will not stand for it!"
"And neither do I ask you to," Otto replied. "If you have the strength to stop us or take the land back, you are free to do so." He then glanced at the glowing words of the prophecy that still lingered in the air, a smile emerging on his lips. "However… it doesn't seem like you do. You might not even be able to hang on to what you have left."
Lara's face turned livid. However, somebody cut in before she could snap back at him.
"Enough," a calm voice said, silencing the chamber. "This is a waste of time," the Thorsten matriarch proclaimed as she swept her gaze across the room. Her black eyes settled on Lara. "At this point, it has long stopped mattering who was in the right or wrong initially. The Mind Mage is right, girl. If you have the strength, just force them to listen, and if you don't — it won't matter what you have to say anyway."
The fire in Lara's eyes didn't diminish, but she sat back down nonetheless. Aurelia's gaze found Otto Geistreich next, who fearlessly met her eyes. "As for you, whelp, just answer this single question. Is your emperor going to heed the warning of the seers?"
"We will always be mindful of the seer's warnings," Otto began. "But as the true danger has not yet revealed itself, we are not able to—"
"I said, ENOUGH!"
This time, her tone was laced with a hint of a threat. The moment she uttered the phrase, Zeke's hair stood on end. It felt like an icy hand had gripped his heart and he had trouble breathing. Luckily, the sensation ceased immediately when Messenger's head snapped toward her. "Don't try my patience, Geistreich. It was a yes or no question."
"Very well," Otto said, "If you want a simple answer, you shall have it."
Even he, as an Arch Mage, had gone pale after the single phrase uttered by Aurelia. Zeke could hardly imagine how much more intense the sensation must have been for him as the primary target.
Otto took a deep breath and turned to the group of seers as he responded. "We will not abandon our plans, not if this is all there is to the warning."
Venus's shoulder sagged upon hearing his decision. She was visibly confused by his words and merely pointed at the glowing words of the prophecy once more. Zeke got the impression that she was not used to people turning down her requests. It came as no surprise when Otto shook his head in response to her silent plea.
"I appreciate the reply," Aurelia said. "But has your empire really considered the consequences of going against the seer's warning? We have all signed the pact, and the consequences of breaking it are clearly defined."
Otto's placid expression shifted, but not to one of fear, as one might expect from somebody faced with a threat. No, it looked more along the lines of disdain. He once again met Aurelia's unnerving black eyes boldly. "Why don't you remind me of the consequences, Ms. Thorsten?"
The matriarch looked confused by his reaction but began to state the clause nonetheless. "In case any nation refuses to heed the seer's warning, all—" At this point she realized what Otto was getting at and stopped herself, falling silent.
"…In case any nation refuses to heed the seer's warning, all other nations will immediately declare war against the offender and bring him to justice," Otto finished for her.
A long, heavy silence descended while Otto swept his gaze over the attending groups. His expression became more mocking with each face. Eventually, his eyes settled on Aurelia once again. "Please remind me, Ms. Thorsten. How exactly would that be different from the situation we have right now?"
"Watch your words, boy," Aurelia said calmly. "You are being naive in thinking the empire can stand up to the rest of us combined. True, there is an alliance, but up to this point, it was more symbolic than anything else. You are far from being able to face the might of the continent in its entirety."
The disdain on Otto's face grew thicker. "And who exactly is going to join you? The seers? The slavers? … the elves? … dwarves? … druids? I don't hear any of their representatives clamoring for my head, or even promising their support. Do you?"
Finally, Aurelia's unflappable expression flickered as she eyed the different groups one by one. Nobody would meet her eyes.
The human nations consisted of the three central powers: Equinox, Invocatia, and Arkanheim. Though they had once been equal in strength, after the great western expansion, the empire dwarfed the other two now. Combined with its consolidation of the entire east, there was no single nation that could come even close to the power Arkanheim held today.
Compared to that, the West was fractured and weak. Valor, Seraven, Korroven, Cosmoa, Irroch, Rukia, and Bernost were the other human states. But out of all of them, only Valor had offered its direct assistance in the war so far. By the looks of it, this fact would not change today.
With every averted gaze she failed to meet, Aurelia was getting angrier. When she saw the empty tables for the delegations of Rukia, and Bernost, she finally lost her temper. "Fine, I see how it is. None of you deserve the peace you have today. Let the prophecy come true for all I care — I hope it will swallow you all."
After saying her piece, the woman stood, followed by her entire group. She was clearly intending to leave. However, before she could even take the first step, she was stopped by the next line from the empire's delegation.
"If nobody else has anything to say on that matter," Otto said, sweeping his eyes over the crowd, searching for anyone willing to interject. When the moment went by without any response, he continued. "In that case, we have one more announcement to make today, regarding the von Hohenheim family and their patriarch — Ezekiel von Hohenheim."